Image – Advantage: Tomlinson

Taylor was a larger than life personality, but he sure didn’t help out the Giants P.R. department. He was twice suspended by the NFL for drug use ( a third charge gets you kicked out of the league for a year), and was constantly seen partying like a maniac in the city that never sleeps. Even after he retired from football, Taylor had to battle his addictions. He was constantly in trouble with the law including the infamous moment when Taylor got himself arrested by trying to score crack from an undercover cop. His behavior didn’t diminish his Hall of Fame play on the field, but it definitely tarnished his reputation.

Tomlinson, on the other hand, is everything good about the NFL. As humble as he is competitive, Tomlinson represents a noble warrior who limits his lust for the spotlight to game day. He never threw a public tantrum when the Chargers were terrible and he doesn’t give opponents clipboard material by saying something stupid to the media. Some might call him a boring personality, but everyone he meets him comes away impressed. That sounds like a role model to me.

Cool Uniform – Advantage: Tomlinson

It’s not a reflection on their abilities, but I would just like to note that Tomlinson looks much cooler in his Charger uniform than Taylor did in his Giants uniform. With the lightning bolt helmet, powder blue jersey, and dark visor over his eyes, Tomlinson looks like a fighter pilot in the backfield.

Taylor obviously didn’t have a choice in what uniform to wear, but those Giants threads were, in a word, ugly.

Decision:  Taylor….for now