Favre may be answer to question Colts don’t want to ask

Could Brett Favre be wearing an Indianapolis Colts jersey within three weeks?

OK, OK, I hear the howls. I agree, it sounds ridiculous.

But if Peyton Manning isn’t sufficiently healed to start by week one, and his overall health for this season is still questionable, then I think there’s a good argument for the Colts to take a look at Favre.

And there’s reason to believe Favre would have a strong interest in one more shot at Super Bowl glory—or at least playing a meaningful role in a Super Bowl run.

If the Colts think Manning will only miss two or three games, it makes sense to ride out the storm with back-up Curtis Painter. Though, for those who saw Painter in Saturday’s pre-season game, that scenario wouldn’t be pretty.

If Colts trainers think Manning might miss four or more games, there’s every reason to go after Favre, who is no doubt down in Mississippi hoping a contender like the Colts calls shortly after training camp breaks.

Even if Manning only misses four or five games, an awful start could doom the season. And with Manning at 35, he doesn’t have too many seasons left to doom.

What the Colts need is a guy who would play for one year and for nothing more than a chance to play a meaningful role in a Super Bowl run. Favre, 41, might fit that bill perfectly.

The Colts have proved they’re a contender with a Hall of Fame quarterback under center. And there aren’t too many HOF QBs out there floating around. With Painter, they’ve proved time and again they’re not very good.

There would have to be a couple of conditions for Favre to join the Colts. He’d have to play for a relatively small salary, something he hasn’t been willing to do. The Colts have little cap space.

Second, Favre would have to promise to play it straight. That means no e-mailing photos of himself of any kind to anyone, and no other shenanigans. He’s already shown he can get along with players in just about any locker room, so that shouldn’t be a problem.

And you’d have to believe Favre would get along well with a players’ owner like Jim Irsay.

As for learning the Colts offense, well, adding Favre this late in the game would be less than ideal. But remember, this is a guy who’s played 20 NFL seasons. You’d think he’d be quick to pick up the basics. Plus, the Colts aren’t running a system as complicated as the N.Y. Jets under Eric Mangini, a system in which Favre struggled three years ago.

Don’t forget, there’s extra motivation for the Colts to play in Super Bowl XLVI because it will be played in Lucas Oil Stadium.

Don’t think Irsay doesn’t want to accomplish what Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones failed to do a year ago—become the first NFL team to play in a Super Bowl in its home city.

Favre in a Colts jersey? Probably just a pipe dream. Certainly a long shot. I’m sure Colts fans everywhere are on their knees hoping it doesn’t come to this.

But if it does, nobody loves a long shot more than No. 4.