Yardbarker

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

After Angels' stunning moves, why Mike Trout should be next to go this offseason

Los Angeles is having an “everything must go” sale as it punts on a 2023 wild-card berth.

Florida-Utah, Matt Rhule's debut and more to watch Thursday night

The first week of Thursday night college football kicks off with 11 games, highlighted by an SEC-Pac-12 showdown between Florida and Associated Press preseason No. 14 Utah.

Saints show faith in young players with pair of surprising cut-day transactions

The Saints parted with longtime kicker Wil Lutz and former Super Bowl champion cornerback Bradley Roby on Tuesday, a pair of moves that reveal New Orleans has a lot of trust in its young players.

Cardinals head coach's laughable Week 1 starter comments underscore why team is a joke

Kyler Murray can't play. Colt McCoy was cut.  So, who will be the Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback in Week 1? If head coach Jonathan Gannon knows, he isn't saying for a truly laughable reason.

NFC South stock up, down: Ex-Alabama teammates impress

With the preseason behind us, here's a look at whose stock is up and down in the NFC South ahead of the start of the regular season.

All Coasts Conference: ACC moving closer to adding Cal, Stanford, SMU

The Pac-12 had to die for the ACC to live. Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Cal and Stanford — along with SMU — are moving closer to joining the ACC.

Watch: USC five-star freshman's electrifying kickoff return

Five-star freshman Zachariah Branch made his presence felt in a big way for USC in its 56-28 Week 0 win over San Jose State.

Week 0 winners, losers: Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman, UMass take flight while UTEP falls flat

Unpacking Week 0 of the college football season, winners and losers style.

Heisman tiers: Examining the top contenders for the award in 2023

With the college football season kicking off, here's a look at the early field of contenders for this year's Heisman based on odds provided by Oddschecker.

Raiders clear major hurdle by agreeing to reworked deal with All-Pro

The Raiders finally got out of their own way on Saturday, agreeing to a one-year deal worth up to $12 million for the 2022 leading rusher.

Could Tulane crash the College Football Playoff?

Tulane stunned the college football world last season and the Green Wave could make a bigger splash in 2023. We're talking College Football Playoff-crashing big.

Eagles sixth-round pick has earned right to back up Jalen Hurts

The Philadelphia Eagles should seriously consider Tanner McKee as their QB2 behind Jalen Hurts on the strength of the rookie's intriguing preseason.

Michigan's plan at head coach for Jim Harbaugh's suspension is bonkers

Some teams rotate quarterbacks to open the season, but Michigan is taking that kind of thinking to a different dimension with HC Jim Harbaugh out the first three games of the season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo makes concerning comments about future with Bucks

For the Bucks, the thought of losing Antetokounmpo has to be devastating.

Cardinals trades are shrewd moves for whichever quarterback they build around

Whereas most teams are gearing up for the 2023 season, Arizona has its sights set on 2024, and for good reason. 

Broncos are doomed if they lose this WR

Sean Payton's first year in Denver was always going to be difficult, but the task potentially got a lot more daunting on Thursday when wide receiver Jerry Jeudy suffered a hamstring injury during practice.

Ranking the best landing spots for demoted 49ers QB Trey Lance

Who wants Trey Lance? Several teams could be interested, and it won't take nearly as much as the 49ers surrendered in order to get him.

Steelers' Jaylen Warren, Eagles LBs and more to watch in Thursday's preseason games

The final week of preseason action kicks off with a pair of games on Thursday evening. Here's what to focus on for the Steelers, Falcons, Eagles and Colts.

Big 12 commissioner's comments at Texas Tech are a horrible look

While it's one thing to prop up a remaining program, Yormark is taking things way too far by openly rooting against an active conference member.

It's time for 49ers to own up to their failed Trey Lance experiment

Why the San Francisco 49ers should move on from QB Trey Lance.

Cowboys 2022 second-round pick hurts chance of making roster with latest arrest

As good as Sam Williams was in his rookie year, his off-the-field issues might be too much to overlook. This isn't the first time he's been in trouble with the law. 

Could Caleb Williams return to USC in 2024?

Caleb Williams is the crown jewel of the 2024 NFL Draft. Unless, of course, he stays at USC for his senior year. It's been assumed — even by Williams — that he'd play three seasons in college and declare for the NFL Draft.

Saints cut wide receiver after disastrous preseason outing

Bryan Edwards took two touchdowns off the board in New Orleans' Week 2 preseason game and on Tuesday, the Saints made sure he won't do it again. The decision to cut Edwards is unsurprising after his stock took a major hit in Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Baker Mayfield's last stand

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles officially named Baker Mayfield the starting quarterback for the 2023 season. The announcement ends the battle for the No. 1 spot with Kyle Trask and starts the timer on Mayfield's last opportunity to prove he's a franchise quarterback.

Terry McLaurin injury makes Commanders biggest loser in Week 2 of the preseason

The Commanders have little reason to rejoice over their 29-28 win over the Ravens on Monday evening, because the potential effects of Terry McLaurin's injury are far greater than the result of a meaningless preseason game.