Accorsi's replacement will be chosen by owners John Mara and brothers Steve and Jonathan Tisch. Mara (also team president) is the most active owner, but Steve (chairman) and Jonathan (treasurer) have significant input. Accorsi doesn't intend to butt in on the decision. "I think when your time is up, you go," he said. "If they ask me my opinion, I will give it."

On Monday, Patriots executive Scott Pioli issued a statement declining an opportunity to interview for the job. There's speculation that Parcells could end up with the gig if he quits as Cowboys coach.

There's a good chance that the new GM emerges from four in-house candidates who've already been interviewed: assistant GM Kevin Abrams; Dave Gettleman, director of pro personnel; Chris Mara -- John's younger brother -- vice president of player evaluation; and Jerry Reese, director of player personnel. Former Texans GM Charley Casserly is the only outside candidate who has interviewed.  Reese -- who joined the Giants in 1994 -- is reportedly the favorite, but all the candidates have strong credentials. For example, to refute charges of nepotism, Chris Mara was a scout in the organization for 14 years, and ran an independent scouting system in 2001 and 2002.

It's no longer Accorsi's concern, with the end of a long NFL career that included stints as GM for the Colts (I982 and 1983), Browns (1985-1992) and Giants (since 1998). Accorsi had postponed his retirement for three straight seasons, including last year because of the deaths of owners Wellington Mara and Bob Tisch within a three-week period.

"There was no changing my mind this year," said Accorsi, who was a sportswriter for the Charlotte News before starting an NFL career in 1970. "This is it."

Indeed, for the past several weeks Accorsi's office had been virtually empty except for a few pictures on his walls.

He has been contacted by TV and radio outlets about opportunities, but he has other other priorities. He is co-writing a book about his NFL experiences with Tom Callahan, who authored Johnny U. And most of Accorsi's time will be spent on his other passion: baseball. A Cardinals season-ticket holder, Accorsi will attend spring training in Florida. And he plans to rent a car for a peripatetic, five-week journey to baseball stadiums that he's never visited.

"People ask: What are you going to do?" Accorsi said. "I answered: 'One of the greatest lines of all time is: 'The cure for boredom is curiosity.' I have plenty of curiosity. There's so much I've never been able to do."

Nunyo's Notes

It's unpredictable how a throw-away note can spur a heavy response from readers. The final line of my previous column rhetorically asked for the difference between Dave Wannstedt and Nick Saban. What I found amazing was that of the roughly 20 answers, the majority said it's the mustache. Dave of Stamford, Conn. said: "If he shaved his mustache, Wanny would be coaching in Alabama for $32 million guaranteed. He keeps the mustache, he stays at Pitt." Three e-mailers added a twist: porn mustache. Gotta love the humor ...

I've always considered Brian Westbrook to be one of the NFL's most dynamic players -- Reggie Bush minus the hoopla. But why did the Eagles -- who have a potent offensive line -- wait until Donovan McNabb was injured before becoming more of a running team? Until Sunday's game, that aspect had been lost in all the attention earned by Jeff Garcia ...

Redskins tailback Clinton Portis worked the Eagles-Giants game for the NFL Network. Portis joked that he hoped to take my media gig. But I reminded him that most media jobs don't pay his gaudy contract. Besides, Portis should be worried about keeping his day job, after Ladell Betts ran wild as his replacement ...

I'm a fan of Merrill Hoge, who co-stars on State Farm's NFL Matchup. But when it comes to Vince Young, Hoge has been as stubborn about the rookie quarterback's prospects as a certain politician (rhymes with tush) has been on the Iraq situation. Because Hoge predicted that Young would flounder as a rookie, he can't unconditionally praise the Titans quarterback. It was hilarious last week hearing host Sal Paolantonio tease Hoge for being "in denial." And sure, I thought Young's passing numbers were too mediocre for him to beat out Marques Colston or Maurice Jones-Drew for Offensive Rookie of the Year. But who can argue with the most important stat?