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I can see why a U or maybe an R might want a finger whistle, but if you work on the line or BJ you probably want the lanyard. The half signals have always bothered me.
Personally, I hold the whistle in my left hand most of the play and only bring it to my mouth when I feel the play is almost over. It becomes second nature and you never have to think about it. Took a long time not to be a whistle in mouth guy, but there really isn't any reason you have to keep it in your mouth - ever.
At the snap, if you have a false start and you're holding your whistle, you can shut it down virtually as quickly as if you had it in your mouth. IWs are a lot less likely if the whistle isn't in your mouth. I can't tell you the number of times, I have avoided IWs by having that extra half second to see the play while bringing the whistle to my mouth. Keeping it out of my mouth makes me slow down. Slowing down will always make you a better official, except in the eyes of idiot sportscasters.
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