The start of his 15th NFL season is three days away, and Vinny Testaverde is more stoked up than a rookie making his professional debut.

The Colts at 1 p.m. Sunday inside Giants Stadium cannot be served up quickly enough for Testaverde, who feels as healthy, rejuvenated and confident as he has in his career.

There’s a gleam in Testaverde’s eyes that tells you he’s just about jumping out of his skin for the national anthem to be played and the first ball to be kicked into the Meadowlands air.

At lunch time yesterday, Testaverde got fired up when a reporter reminded him about some comments made by Colts’ coach Jim Mora last season after the Jets’ loss to the Ravens at the end of the season pushed the Colts into the playoffs.

Mora was quoted on videotape as saying the Colts owed the Jets “thanks” for losing to the Ravens and allowing his team to back into the postseason.

“I remember watching some clips of their coach [Mora] talking to the team and something he said sticks in my craw a little bit,” the mild-mannered Testaverde said as defiantly as he gets.

“Hopefully, we can have something to say about where we’re positioned come late December. And this game [Sunday] will be one step closer.

“That’s way the NFL is,” Testaverde said. “Sometimes they think people forget, but they don’t.”

Mora, in a conference call, sounded rattled at the prospect that he might have said anything to rile his Sunday opponent.

“No, I didn’t say that,” Mora said. “I did not say that. No. I didn’t say that at all. I don’t remember saying anything about the Jets. I mean, that’s a long time ago. Right after game in locker room? Or the next day? Fellas, I swear to God, I don’t remember.”

More than one Jets official recalled seeing the clip after the regular season last year.

Whether or not Testaverde needs any manufactured motivation is up for debate. He’s coming off a 25-INT season, has been given a new, quarterback-friendly offense and has a more seasoned and deep receiving corps.

Testaverde’s rejuvenation has been very noticeable to his teammates – particularly in yesterday’s practice when, on an end-around running play he flattened rookie CB Jamie Henderson with a block – a move that drew comments from a number of players on the field.

“Stay off our cornerback, Vinny,” Mo Lewis shouted in mock anger.

“Hey, it’s game week,” CB Aaron Glenn yelled.

Yes, it is, and Testaverde feels great about it.

“You want to feel like you’re at your best, and that’s the way I feel right now,” Testaverde said.

Coaches and teammates are impressed.

“I think Vinny will have a good year, I really do,” Herman Edwards said. “He’s in great shape and is in a great frame of mind right now. Vinny wants to win games.”

Said Curtis Martin, “Vinny looks as good as he did in the 1998 season when we went to AFC Championship [Game] . . . if not better.”

Center Kevin Mawae agreed. “He’s looked good this summer,” Mawae said. “He said he’s healthier than he’s ever been and I have to believe him.”