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

Other QBs overshadow Arch Manning at Texas spring game

The QB battle in Austin this season was expected to be between Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, but based on Saturday's scrimmage, the actual competition is more likely at the backup position between Manning and sophomore Maalik Murphy, who finished the game 9-of-13 for 165 yards.

Why being the favorite to open the NBA playoffs could be a bad thing

The Bucks are the favorites to win the NBA Finals this season, a label that could be more a curse than a blessing. Milwaukee looks to become the first consensus favorite entering the first round to win the NBA Finals since Golden State five years ago.

Cardinals bad offseason could potentially still get worse

 The Cardinals' bad offseason might get even worse.

Falcons continue to bolster defense by signing ex-Steelers linebacker

The Atlanta Falcons continue to remake their defense and look more like a threat to win the NFC South. 

Report: Commanders 'getting close' to changing ownership

The Commanders are finally changing ownership.

Young Thunder squad's season continues with upset win over Pelicans

Oklahoma City was supposed to be playing this season for a chance to draft Victor Wembanyama, not meaningful postseason basketball. 

Demar DeRozan’s daughter is breakout defensive star in play-in game

NBA teams, take note. There's no better defense than a screaming child.

Burned Bridges: Mikal Bridges opens up about draft night trade

Mikal Bridges still feels jilted when he thinks about the draft day trade which sent him from Philadelphia to Phoenix.

Could the Texans repeat 2006 draft shocker by not taking a QB?

Texans fans might get a case of deja vu during this year's NFL Draft.

Guardians benefit from controversial replay review against Yankees

Cleveland had a few extra guardians on its side in the first inning of its game against the Yankees on Wednesday.

Best, worst offseason moves for the New Orleans Saints

A disappointing season and a tight salary cap situation had the Saints in a tough spot entering the offseason. Here's the best and worst of what they've done in trying to right the ship.

Saquon Barkley, Giants could be in for extended contract dispute

Last month, the Giants placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley, seemingly putting an end to his 2023 contract situation. On Wednesday, Giants beat writer Kim Jones reporting negotiations are far from over.

Best, worst offseason moves for Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The quicker the rise, the faster the fall. That's the outlook in Tampa Bay as it braces for a free fall in a post-Tom Brady world.

Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle ties franchise record with monster game against A's

Ryan Mountcastle tied the Orioles franchise record for RBIs in a game with nine in the team's 12-8 win over Oakland Tuesday night.

Seahawks land star SEC QB in latest Mel Kiper mock draft

 The Seahawks are expected to make a splash in the upcoming NFL Draft with ESPN's Mel Kiper believing they could trade up for a third first-round pick to select QB Hendon Hooker.

Best, worst offseason moves for the Carolina Panthers

The Panthers made a big splash by moving up to No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City (April 27-29), one of the organization's best moves this offseason. That doesn't mean everything's rosy in Charlotte.

Best, worst offseason moves for Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons made a flurry of moves to begin free agency to shore up its lackluster defense. But Atlanta didn't fill all their holes, making it paramount for the organization to do just that at the 2023 NFL Draft from April 27-29 in Kansas City.

Brooks Koepka chased by rain, Jon Rahm at Masters on Saturday

Mother Nature is the only thing slowing down Brooks Koepka at the Masters.

Dizzying number of outcomes possible in wild Western Conference final weekend

Welcome to the NBA's multiverse of madness. On Saturday, the league provided fans a glimpse of all the different ways the season can end—sixty-four of them, to be exact.

Star Louisville guard makes shocking decision to enter transfer portal

Point guard Hailey Van Lith is transferring from Louisville, the program she led on deep NCAA Tournament runs the past two seasons, ESPN reports. The Cardinals reached the Elite Eight this year, where they lost to national runner-up Iowa.

Tiger Woods joins exclusive club with latest feat at the Masters

Bogeys on his last two holes weren't enough to prevent Tiger Woods from making the cut at the Masters for the 23rd consecutive time, tying him with Fred Couples and Gary Player for the most of all time.

Report: No end in sight for Pac-12's media rights drama

The Pac-12 is on shaky ground and it won't get sturdier anytime soon as it appears the conference's television rights negotiations will drag on into the spring and possibly summer.

Pelicans president reveals gloomy injury update for Zion Williamson

While the Pels have the talent to make one of the top seeds sweat in the first round — if they make it that far — not having Williamson severely limits how far this team can go.

Jon Rahm rebounds from rough start to take share of lead at the Masters

Jon Rahm double-bogeyed his first hole at the Masters but quickly rebounded by shooting a stellar nine-under par over the final 17 holes to end the day tied for first at seven-under.

Mother of Travis, Jason Kelce gets into Hall of Fame before her sons

Within the next decade, chances are we'll see both Travis and Jason Kelce enshrined in the Hall of Fame. When they do, their mother will be waiting.