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

TCU opens as biggest underdog in championship game era

The college football world has grudgingly come to respect the TCU Horned Frogs, but oddsmakers are not ready to join that trend. 

Wrong Scott Stallings receives Masters invite

PGA Tour pro Scott Stallings waited for days for an invitation to the 2023 Masters that never came. On New Year's Day, he finally discovered why. 

Bears ridiculed for decision to keep playing Justin Fields

 Fields added another electrifying run to his breakout season, this time against the Lions. 

TCU's turnaround is already among the most impressive this century

TCU is a win away from completing the most impressive single-season turnaround in college football this century. The Horned Frogs won a thriller in the VRBO Fiesta Bowl, defeating No. 2 Michigan 51-45 in a game that featured 1,016 total yards of offense.

Watch: RGIII leaves ESPN broadcast mid-game after finding out wife is in labor

A chaotic third quarter of the VRBO Fiesta Bowl extended to events off the field after Griffin III received a phone call that his wife had gone into labor.

Watch: Maryland HC Mike Locksley gets mayonnaise bath after bowl win

 In what's become the most disgusting tradition in college football, Maryland head coach Mike Locksley was rewarded by having a bucket of mayonnaise poured on him. 

Cardinals rookie gets signed J.J. Watt jersey after comical exchange

Arizona Cardinals rookie linebacker Jesse Luketa's wish came true after teammate J.J. Watt revealed a hilarious exchange between the two.

Why Eagles should sit Jalen Hurts against New Orleans

The QB's recovery from a sprained throwing shoulder apparently is going well, but the team shouldn't play him Sunday against New Orleans.

Former NFL star believes Cowboys are being held back by this player

The Cowboys have a strong defense and running game, but former NFL running back Eddie George believes QB Dak Prescott is the team's weakness.

Florida State's stunning turnaround shows patience isn't always a bad thing in college football

Norvell needed time, but he finally has Florida State trending in the right direction for the first time since it won its last national championship.

Sonny Dykes misses mark with recent comments on SEC

TCU head coach Sonny Dykes kicked a hornet's nest when he suggested Big 12 teams have more difficult schedules than SEC teams. His argument, to put it kindly, is absurd.

Titans starting former practice squad player at QB is unfair to NFL fans

Ten days ago, Josh Dobbs was on the Detroit Lions practice squad. On Thursday night against the playoff-bound Cowboys, he'll start for the Titans.

Derek Carr was always better than the Raiders

After benching QB Derek Carr on Wednesday, Las Vegas excused the league's longest-tenured starting QB from the Raiders' final two games. It's just another on-brand move for "Team Dysfunction," which has stuck it to Carr for nine seasons.

Zion Williamson takes over down stretch on career-best night

If it wasn't obvious before, it most certainly is now. Williamson is the captain of this ship, and he looks ready to steer the Pelicans to places they've never been before.

LSU's Kayshon Boutte makes right call in declaring for NFL draft

After initially announcing he'd return to LSU for the 2023 season, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte reversed course and decided to declare for the NFL draft.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy's tired act surfaces again

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy has serious questions to answer after his team's collapse down the stretch. A tense exchange after his team's bowl loss to Wisconsin on Tuesday night shows those are questions the longtime head coach isn't ready to confront.

What surging Panthers should do with interim HC Steve Wilks

With the Carolina Panthers turning their season around under interim coach Steve Wilks, here is what the team should do with him at the end of the year.

Should Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa consider retirement?

With Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in the concussion protocol for the second time this season, opinions on the quarterback's next steps are flooding social media and the Internet. For his sake, should Tagovailoa consider retirement?

Luka magic: Dallas star makes NBA history in sensational performance against Knicks

Luka Doncic's magic act reached its crescendo on Tuesday night. That's what happens when a player accomplishes something not even Wilt Chamberlain was able to do.

Assessing Ohio State's most important matchup against Georgia

For Ohio State to prove it belongs in the College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes will need Marvin Harrison Jr. to have a big day.

Is Nick Foles the worst Super Bowl-winning QB?

Foles found flashes of greatness during his time in Philadelphia, even leading the team to a Super Bowl title over Tom Brady and the Patriots after relieving an injured Carson Wentz late in the season. But the Philadelphia hero hasn't been able to find much success otherwise, landing him in the debate over worst Super Bowl-winning QBs.

Why Sean Payton should steer clear of the Denver Broncos

The NFL season isn't over, but that hasn't stopped pundits from speculating about one of the biggest expected coaching moves of the offseason. Everyone wants to know where Sean Payton will be in 2023 since the Denver Brconos have an opening. 

Chargers clinch playoff berth with win over Indianapolis

Justin Herbert is headed to the postseason for the first time after the Los Angeles Chargers' decisive Monday night victory over the lifeless Indianapolis Colts.

Watch: Troy Aikman goes off on Derwin James hit

Derwin James was ejected following a massive hit on Ashton Dulin Monday night. Count color commentator Troy Aikman among those that felt the ejection was justified. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback said the hit was "as big a collision as I've seen in a long, long time."

Top available transfer QBs find new homes for 2023

This past weekend, QBs DJ Uiagalelei and Kedon Slovis announced their transfer portal decisions.