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

Patrick Mahomes blueprint goes up in smoke as Giants turn to Jaxson Dart

In the lead-up to last Sunday's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants, several stories came out comparing New York's strategy for developing Dart to how Kansas City operated when sitting Patrick Mahomes behind Alex Smith for the majority of his rookie season.

Florida injury pushes team further down bleak path

Nothing is going right for the 1-3 Gators this season.

Falcons' coaching change raises concerns for team's immediate future

It came one day after a resounding 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers that dropped the Falcons to 1-2.

The Big Five: Ranking the NFL’s 0-3 teams by their chances of a turnaround

There's always next year.  For some of the NFL's six 0-3 teams, the 2025 season is already a wash. But who might be able to turn things around the fastest, whether with an improbable in-season turnaround or in 2026 and beyond?

Knicks HC Mike Brown's comments immediately differentiate him from his predecessor

Knicks head coach Mike Brown is already planning a crucial change for the 2024 Eastern Conference finalists.

'MNF' takeaways: Lions notch statement road win over Ravens

The Detroit Lions (2-1) came away with a major early-season statement road win against the Baltimore Ravens (1-2), 38-30, in the final game of the Week 3 calendar.

Cowboys' Jerry Jones provides ominous injury update on CeeDee Lamb

As the Dallas Cowboys look to find their footing after a 1-2 start, their top offensive playmaker doesn't look like he'll be around to help.

ACC scheduling could mean even more bad news for Clemson

The Clemson Tigers have had a tough year, and thanks to a recently adopted ACC change, it might not get easier anytime soon.

Five worst NFL Week 3 performances: Second-year pros flounder in Falcons, Cardinals losses

With so many duds, there were plenty of options for this week's five worst performances, but these are the ones that stood out the most.

Fans shouldn't get too excited over big Arch Manning game

This was the Arch Manning that was promised. Just don't expect to see him much more this season.

Texas Tech could have QB controversy after massive Big 12 road win

Despite scoring a massive Big 12 road win on Saturday, the Texas Tech Red Raiders left Utah with more questions than answers.

CFB Week 4 winners, losers: Indiana, Texas Tech score massive wins

The Big Ten and Big 12 each had huge Associated Press top 25 showdowns end in blowouts, while Clemson and Florida extended their misery with losses. These are Week 4's winners and losers.

South Carolina receives significant update on star QB LaNorris Sellers

Sellers suffered a head injury in the first half of last Saturday's 31-7 upset loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores.

NFL knee-jerk reactions: Super Bowl locks, QB chaos and shocking starts across the league

Two weeks into the 2025 NFL season, the takes are getting hotter than a mid-September turf field. Across the league, early results are fueling bold declarations from Yardbarker NFL writers, which are presented to you here.

Week 4 Big 12 showdown gives quarterbacks chance to enter Heisman conversation

Both teams, which rank first and second in the conference in scoring offense, are led by their quarterbacks.

Five CFB teams that can make the biggest statements in Week 4

Week 4 of the 2025 college football regular season is chock-full of compelling games and storylines, headlined by three Associated Press top 25 showdowns. Here are five we're monitoring on Saturday.

Falcons offseason additions even more important following star corner's concerning injury update

It's a good thing the Atlanta Falcons invested heavily in their pass-rush this offseason, because with star corner's A.J. Terrell concerning injury update, they're going to need it.

Tom Brady's dual role could be major loss for fans, headache for NFL

The NFL entered a quagmire of its own making on Monday.

Paige Bueckers joins elite company with rare trifecta

Dallas Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers placed her name among WNBA legends on Tuesday.

Blue Jays pitching prospect makes franchise history in MLB debut

The present is looking pretty nice for the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays, and after Monday, so does their future.

'MNF' takeaways: Baker Mayfield leads last-second comeback in thriller

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers improved to 2-0 on the young 2025 season with a come-from-behind 20-19 win over the winless Houston Texans (0-2).

Key defensive loss comes at a bad time for Ravens

There's hardly a good time to lose an edge-rusher, but the Baltimore Ravens are losing this player directly before a critical stretch of their schedule.

Five worst NFL Week 2 performances: Steelers HC Mike Tomlin, Jaguars WR Brian Thomas cost teams

Another weekend of NFL action is in the books, and for some players and coach, next Sunday can't come soon enough after some rough performances. Here are the five worst from Week 2.

Texas QB Arch Manning not looking ready for SEC play after dud vs. UTEP

The Texas Longhorns officially have cause for concern.