Things To Be Thankful For

By Joe Okabe

It is appropriate this holiday weekend to acknowledge those things that we should be thankful for. On that note, as a Seahawks fan, I am thankful for the following:

I am thankful that the Denver Broncos tanked in the second half of last season, which resulted in the Seahawks moving up to pick #14 in the 2010 NFL Draft and allowing them to draft Earl Thomas.

I am thankful that the Philadelphia Eagles chose Brandon Graham after trading up to get the 13th pick. When the trade was announced, I thought the Eagles had made that trade to outmaneuver the Seahawks and steal Thomas. A huge sigh of relief came when the Graham pick was announced.

I am thankful that the New York Jets decided that Leon Washington no longer fit in their plans.

I am thankful that Washington has fully recovered from his injuries last season.

I am thankful that the front office took an aggressive approach to the numerous problems ailing the Seahawks.

I am thankful that there is no salary cap this season, which allowed the front office to do a lot more than they would have normally been capable of.

I am thankful that management chose to bite the bullet and release T.J. Houshmanzadeh and eat his enormous salary.

I am thankful that Lawrence Jackson is not getting to the quarterback for another team.

I am thankful that the New England Patriots felt that Deion Branch was worth a fourth round pick in next year’s draft, when the Seahawks would have probably gladly taken a sixth- or seventh rounder.

I am thankful that hope has been restored to the franchise after two miserable seasons.

First and foremost, I am thankful that Jim Mora, Jr. is no longer coach of the Seahawks. I could not have endured another season with Mora at the helm.

Of course, I am thankful for so much more, but these are the first things that came to mind. Have a happy and healthy holiday weekend, everyone!