Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans. You can find him on Twitter/X and Threads at @ericsmithling and at Bluesky at @ericsmithling.bsky.social.

EXPERTISE:

NFL, College Football, NBA, Men's and Women's College Basketball, NHL

Twitter/X: @ericsmithling

Muck Rack: eric-smithling

May 31, 2023 | New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints stock up, stock down

With the Saints in the middle of voluntary offseason workouts, here are players whose stocks are either rising or falling.

May 31, 2023 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers stock up, stock down

A quarterback might be emerging in Tampa Bay's QB battle. He leads the team's group of players whose stocks are rising. A former Pro Bowl linebacker, however, is trending in the wrong direction.

May 31, 2023 | Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers stock up, stock down

A new era is underway in Carolina, which is bad news for two offensive players chosen by the last regime. The defense, meanwhile, features two players whose stocks are rising.

May 30, 2023 | Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons stock up, stock down

Here's a look at whose stock is up — and down — for the Atlanta Falcons with the NFL season 100 days away.

May 29, 2023 | NBA

Caleb Martin shines as Heat become first No. 8 seed since 1999 to reach NBA Finals

Miami avoided becoming the first team in NBA history to blow a 3-0 series lead in large part due to the contributions of Caleb Martin and in the process became only the second No. 8 seed in league history to reach the NBA Finals.

May 29, 2023

Notre Dame player makes incredible goal in lacrosse national title game

Notre Dame won its first men's lacrosse NCAA championship on Monday in a 13-9 win over Duke. The win was highlighted by an unreal make by Quinn McCahon from past midfield in the second quarter.

May 29, 2023 | Miami Heat

Odds stacked against Heat heading into potentially historic Game 7

Boston is expected to make NBA history on Monday night against Miami according to analytics and oddsmakers by becoming the first team in 151 tries to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series.

May 28, 2023 | Boston Celtics

Is Derrick White's last-second shot among the all-time NBA greats?

The ending of Game 6 between the Celtics and Heat was one of the most surreal in recent NBA history. Miami looked as if it had won the Eastern Conference when Marcus Smart's three-point attempt rimmed out, but Derrick White saved Boston's season by grabbing the offensive rebound and releasing a putback with one-tenth of a second on the clock.

May 27, 2023 | NBA

Miami receives boost ahead of pivotal Game 6 against Boston

The Heat received a positive update on guard Gabe Vincent on Saturday afternoon when it was announced he is expected to play in a pivotal Game 6. While

May 25, 2023 | NFL

Where the top three rookie quarterbacks stand in their competitions

Examining the depth-chart positioning of the top three rookie quarterbacks from the draft as team's begin to embark on OTAs.

May 25, 2023 | NBA

Report: NBA looking into new way to combat flopping

While we can argue about what the solution is, everyone is in agreement that flopping is a problem the league needs to address.

May 24, 2023 | College Football

Big Ten makes odd change to 2023's Penn State-Michigan State football game

The conference announced the decision on Wednesday, which ESPN's Pete Thamel described as being "part of the 'horse trading' with NBC and the Big Ten."

May 24, 2023 | Washington Commanders

Could Washington's football team change its name again?

Could the stars be aligning for another name change for Washington's football franchise?

May 23, 2023 | San Francisco 49ers

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan provides surprising Brock Purdy update

The only concern for San Francisco heading into the 2023 season is the health of QB Brock Purdy and according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, that might not be a concern at all.

May 23, 2023 | NBA

Celtics' warning to the Heat prior to Game 4 sounds more like a plea

Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown sang similar refrains the morning of Boston's pivotal Game 4 in Miami. While their comments suggest all the Celtics need is one win to turn the tide in the series, they also sound like pleas for the Heat to end their misery.

May 23, 2023 | Los Angeles Chargers

Austin Ekeler, Chargers find compromise on contract stalemate

Austin Ekeler won't have his trade request honored but he could make extra money this season thanks to a re-worked deal with the Chargers.

May 23, 2023 | Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets reach first NBA Finals in franchise history

Denver waited a long time for an NBA Finals appearance. When given an opportunity to clinch a spot on Monday, the Nuggets ran with it, closing the Lakers out in a sweep with a 113-111 win.

May 22, 2023 | NBA

That's all, folks: Anthony Davis's no show dooms L.A. in West finals

Davis no-showed against the Nuggets, sending the Lakers out in a sweep by losing 113-111.

May 22, 2023 | Los Angeles Lakers

Watch: LeBron James turns alley-oop into three pointer during career-best first half performance

LeBron James was hot to start Game 4 for the Lakers. So hot that even an alley-oop attempt turned into a made three-pointer.

May 22, 2023 | NFL

NFL approves schedule change on a trial basis

Fans who've already purchased tickets to some games late in the 2023 season might want to carve some extra time out of their schedules. On Monday, NFL owners passed a measure to allow "Thursday Night Football" to potentially flex games this season by a 24-8 vote.