IT TURNS out that scrambling away from the Chargers was the easy part for Eli Manning.

OK, kid, go win a Super Bowl for the New York Giants.

Trader Ernie Accorsi got his man yesterday, the circuitous way, and for those of you who moan that the Giants gave up the store – next year’s No. 1 and No. 5 plus a No. 3 this year for Eli Manning – ask yourself this question:

Did you honestly think the Kerry Collins Giants would win a Super Bowl in 2004?

So this isn’t about 2004.

This is about 2005 and beyond.

When you have a shot at a franchise quarterback, you take that shot.

When you have a conviction that this quarterback can win you a Super Bowl or two sometime before Wellington Mara turns 100, you pull the damn trigger.

“You’ve gotta have some beliefs to make a move like that, and the Giants do, and it’s gonna be scrutinized tremendously,” Phil Simms said. “Sometimes when you want greatness you gotta take a chance, so they took a chance.”

Simms, the Giants’ No. 1 pick in 1979 out of Morehead (Ky.) State, was asked about the pressures of being quarterback of the Giants.

“It’s the best!” Simms said. “You want the attention when you’re a quarterback. He doesn’t have to worry. He’s gonna get it here.”

It is a shame about Kerry Collins, a good quarterback and man who rebuilt his life and career. But Jim Fassel isn’t the coach anymore. Tom Coughlin wanted his own quarterback. If you are going to make a long-term commitment to your most important player, you make it to the 23-year-old crown jewel rather than the 31-year-old entering the last year of his contract.

Eli could use more time in the weight room and if they call him Easy because he is so laid-back, does he have the fire to inspire others? But he does have the best quarterback bloodlines in the world and may have a stronger arm than older brother Peyton.

“I don’t think it’s fair to compare ’em,” Simms said. “I think Eli is a different quarterback and a different person, and he’ll find his own way.”

Is Eli a franchise quarterback?

“He has size, he has the arm, and he definitely has good foot movement and rhythm in throwing, so those are qualities that make you a franchise quarterback,” Simms said.

New York’s new Glamour Boy, the biggest star quarterback to stroll down Broadway since Joe Namath, was greeted with chants of “Eli S – – – s” from Jet draftniks still peeved at Peyton for spurning Bill Parcells. Eli laughed.

Eli posed with the Charger jersey and cap, put on a happy face, met the media, prayed for a trade. Then the Giants drafted quarterback Philip Rivers. When news of the trade spread, Eli tapped agent Tom Condon on the breast. “I got traded to the Giants, they said,” Eli said, and smiled, and headed back for a second press conference, and put on his Giants cap.

Olivia Manning, Eli’s mom, was thrilled. “We’re gonna party in New York tonight!” she said.

She was asked how he would handle the pressure. “He’s pretty cool, calm, collected,” she said.

Peyton Manning, after signing countless autographs by his limo, was asked the same question. “He’ll keep his priority, same work ethic, he’s gonna do well,” Peyton said.

Now they rushed Eli into a van, parked near 33rd and Eighth, past a mob of autograph-seekers, and off he went, toward the Lincoln Tunnel and Giants Stadium and his Giants. “It’s a great place to play,” Eli said.