We believe that the New York Giants should give former G.M. Ernie Accorsi a Super Bowl ring, even though he’s no longer employed by the team.  (Most recently, he was working as a consultant for the Falcons.)

But while his now-vindicated trade for Eli Manning and other efforts to collect talent helped build the team that won the Super Bowl, Accorsi’s decision to step aside also had a role in the team’s victory.

In past years, the Giants struggled because Accorsi had acquired talent without regard to whether the players would interact effectively.  There were too many chefs or chiefs, or whatever the cliche’ is.   

Frankly, Accorsi was the mad scientist who concocted a stew of strong personalities, and expected a quarterback who still can’t grow a full beard to lead them.  It was a mistake, and it wasn’t until Tiki Barber left and Jeremy Shockey got hurt that this team came of age.

Besides, we can’t imagine Accorsi pulling off a better 2007 draft than Reese’s:  Aaron Ross, Steve Smith, Jay Alford, Zak DeOssie, Kevin Boss, Ahmad Bradshaw.  Wow.

Sure, Reese also traded running back Ryan Grant for a case of Ramen noodles.  But there so many backs on the preseason depth chart that Grant might have gotten cut.  At least Reese got something for him.

So while Accorsi had a positive impact on the Super Bowl XLII champs, there’s definitely a bit of addition by subtraction that occurred when he left.