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HONOLULU -- Tired of his prolific passer being labeled a so-called "system quarterback," Hawaii coach June Jones on Monday pointed to another star quarterback running a system: Florida's Tim Tebow.
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Jones said the key difference, however, is that his record-breaking quarterback, Colt Brennan, runs an NFL-style offense while Tebow runs a "college system."
"My quarterback has been labeled a 'system quarterback' for three years," Jones said. "He is the best passer in college history. He is. There is no question about it. Tim Tebow is in a system."
Jones acknowledged Tebow was a great quarterback who will probably win the Heisman Trophy and a national championship. However, "a lot of his stuff comes off little dives, fades, things he is not going to do in the National Football League. That's my point."
The former NFL quarterback and coach addressed comments he made about Tebow late Sunday to ESPN. He questioned whether the Florida quarterback could run Hawaii's run-and-shoot, which is the nation's highest scoring offense. Brennan, meanwhile, could run "any system," he said.
He also threw in Washington quarterback Jake Locker's name in the conversation. Locker is also a running quarterback.
Jones, who said his comments were not meant to demean Tebow in any way, may be involved in some gamesmanship before the Heisman finalists are announced Wednesday.
"My quarterback is the best player, trust me," he said.
His comments have infuriated Gators fans, who expressed their displeasure in Internet chat rooms and blogs. They'll have their chance to voice their opinion in person when the Warriors open their 2008 season at The Swamp.
Tebow, who broke his right, non-throwing hand against Florida State on Nov. 24, has accounted for 51 touchdowns this season, making him one of the favorites to win the Heisman.
The sophomore has 838 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns, tying an NCAA record. He also has completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 3,132 yards and 29 touchdowns. He has just six interceptions.
Jones noted that Brennan accounted for 63 scores last year, including 58 passing TDs, an NCAA record. It's among the more than two dozen NCAA record he holds.
This season, Brennan has thrown for 4,174 yards and 38 touchdowns in leading the 10th-ranked Warriors (12-0) to their first outright conference title, an undefeated season and a berth in the Sugar Bowl against No. 4 Georgia on Jan. 1. The senior also has eight rushing TDs.
No. 9 Florida (9-3) will play Michigan in the Capital One Bowl.
Brennan said his coach wasn't taking any personal shots at the Gators' star.
"I've heard him say great things about Tim Tebow," Brennan said. "Tim Tebow is a great quarterback who most likely will win the Heisman Trophy. But I think coach Jones was strongly trying to take away that system thing and let the players be players. And I appreciate that."
Jones said he has taken a lot of heat for his comments, but there were some people more than happy to hear what he said. "I did get a whole bunch of e-mails and calls from Florida State people that said, 'Thanks for finally saying that."'