Former New York Giants' general manager Ernie Accorsi may be close to Jerry Richardson, but this time around that's not wholly a bad thing. Accorsi will play the role of outside consultant to assist in hiring the new general manager for the Panthers.

Reported by the Charlotte Observer, the 71-year-old is the chair on the NFL's general manager committee, and a two-time former GM himself leading the Cleveland Browns for 1985-1992, and the Giants from 1998-2007. While in New York the team held a record of 73-71, including four playoff births.

The signature moves Accorsi made in New York was the hiring of current head coach Tom Coughlin in 2004, and orchestrating the trade to bring Eli Manning to the Meadowlands the same year-- both of which were vital in leading to two Superbowl victories.

It may be premature to look too deeply into any move, but knowing Accorsi's ties to the Giants, one has to consider Marc Ross may get a look. Considered to be an up-and-comer in the executive world, the 39-year old has been thriving as New York's director of college scouting.