Is Tomlinson a Better Fit in Minnesota Than Westbrook?

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune is reporting that the Minnesota Vikings have interest in free agent running back, LaDainian Tomlinson.

Tomlinson was cut by the Chargers prior to the kick-off of free agency, and has garnered some scattered attention. He is clearly on the decline, but still possess enough talent to make an impact here and there for a team.

The team has also been rumored to have Brian Westbrook who was cut by the Eagles, but as the Star-Tribune is reporting, the Vikings have more interest in Tomlinson rather than Westbrook.

Many will make the argument for Westbrook in that he played under current Vikings Head Coach, Brad Childress, during their time together in Philadelphia and that he is well suited for Childress' high screen tendency.

Westbrook is often perceived as an excellent receiver out of the backfield, but are we forgetting the Tomlinson is a guy that had 100 receptions out of the backfield in 2003. A feat that Westbrook has approached once, but not again.

It is no secret that both would be an upgrade out of the backfield as a receiver over Chester Taylor, but neither will give you what Taylor did on the ground, and both players bring a different style to the table.

Tomlinson, at this point in his career, would be better suited to be a goal line situation back. At 5'10" 221 pounds, he possesses the size to pound it in at the goal line, as his 12 touchdowns in 2009 will suggest.

Westbrook is more suited to run the screen game. He can still be a great 3rd down back when in passing situations due to to his exceptional pass blocking skills as a running back added to his threat out of the backfield on the screen.

Neither are a better running back than the other at this point, but Tomlinson does seem to be a bit more durable over Westbrook, who has never completed a full season, at this point.

Both, however, would bring something different to the table, and depending on what the Vikings are looking for, it's hard to tell who would be the better fit. Either way, you would have a good veteran back-up for Adrian Peterson, but with such depth at running back in the draft, is it worth it to sign an aging player?