10 | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 SPORTS Falcons are one of the most surprising teams this season By MZOLA AHUAMA-JONAS III Staff Writer

Yes, the Falcons are for real. Despite having on and off the field success this year, whenever the touchy subject of Atlanta Fal­ cons football comes up, everyone loves to spurn now Arkansas coach and ex-starting quarterback . It can get a bit repetitive and useless to keep rehashing the wrongdoings of Vick in every post-game analysis. Yes, Petrino ran away with a streak of yellow down his back, and Fal­ cons fans have blacklisted him. Vick is serving time for animal cru­ elty and should be forgiven in time. Any kind of criticism should be focused on the cur­ rent success of the team. The Falcons have performed exceedingly well under Head Coach Mike Smith, compiling a 6-3 record and going 4-0 at home, following a Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has quickly risen to the top of the list for Rookie of the Year. 34-20 thrashing of their NFC South ESPN.com rivals, the last Dome since the days of Chris Chan­ 1998 season. With this the Saints. New Orleans swept who was one of Vick's biggest sup­ Sunday. The Falcons haven't had dler, and the infa­ win, the Falcons snapped a streak both meetings in 2007 and 2006. porters during the quarterback's six such a great start at the mous "dirty-bird" dance of their of four straight losses against Atlanta rookie Matt Ryan has seasons with the Falcons, and has of­ continued to convince non-believ­ fered to remain that way after Vick ers that he is rookie-of-the-year is released from prison, says neither material. He logged in another that situation nor the debacle with stellar performance, going 16-23 Petrino was overtly embarrassing. for 248 yards and throwing two "It wasn't about us as a franchise. It Free Financial Advice is Coming touchdowns in the win. The rookie was about a particular player and a connected with Michael Jenkins on coach, their behavior and actions." To Atlanta on November 24,2008! six passes for 72 yards and with In January, Blank hired the number one option Roddy Thomas Dimitroff away from White on five passes for 68 yards. New England to be Atlanta's Ryan has continued to quickly rec­ general manager. Less than two ognize what defenses are trying weeks later, Dimitroff hired Smith. to do against him. His decision­ While his new coach had plen­ making has been on-point, and ty of NFL experience, Smith was an having only notched nine games assistant coach on the 2000 cham­ on his NFL belt, he commands the pion Ravens and most recently the offense with the poise of a veteran. defensive coordinator for Jackson­ The Falcons led a balanced attack ville. Dimitroff insisted Smith as­ with their run game as well. Mi­ semble a well-experienced staff. chael Turner led the rushing at­ Smith has a roster of assistants with Come out and join in on the Your Money BUS Tour coming to Atlanta on tack against the Saints' defense, 188 years of NFL experience among carrying 27 times for 96 yards. them. That includes a Hall of Fam- November 24, 2008. Have your pressing financial questions and concerns answered Atlanta's defense has done er, Emmitt Thomas, along with by financial advisors for FREE. The bus will be making stops at the following locations: more than well to complement the other men who have been at least offense. The Falcons picked Saints interim head coaches in the league: quarterback three times, including Terry Robiskie and Mike Mularkey. 9:30 am to 3:00 pm - Free advice event at the Georgia State Capitol Building (206 two that wree in Falcon territory. The city of Atlanta has been Defensive End John Abraham given a reason to scream about the Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA). Bring your financial questions and sit down and chat earned his 11th sack of the sea­ playoffs. Around the web on web­ with a financial advisor to get your answers. Be sure to also pick-up a handy toolkit full son. The sack for Abraham was sites such as Sports Illustrated (si. of information on debt reduction and saving. Advisors will be located in the lawn area his 13th in his last 10 games and com) and ESPN.com, the Falcons the 21st in his last 24 contests. have been deemed to finish the on Washington Street outside the Capitol Building. He has 781/2 sacks in his career. season 10-6. So as if they didn't As a Falcon, Abraham has post­ have enough on their plate to ed 25 sacks in 32 games played. make or exceed these predictions, 6:30 to 8:00 pm - Symposium on "Understanding Debt, Savings and Your Financial This Falcons, an organization this "surprise" squad has to con­ Well-Being" at Georgia State University. The event is free and open to the public and that for so long couldn't manage to tinue its impressive play as it looks get anything right, now seemingly to make the playoffs for the first will be held in the Senate Salon located at the Student Center (33 Gilmore Street). can do no wrong. Arthur Blank, time since the 2004-2005 season.

To learn about these and other stops, be sure to visit www.YourMoneyBus.com for details and to download the latest audio and video from the tour.

The Your Money Bus Tour is proudly sponsored by:

E S™06 ( 1Muc«io~a«ion KIpHflflertfBI Member FINRA/SIPC