Neil was respected there is no doubt about that. The problem I feel is that despite being pretty universally respected he was basically a thug. He didn't know much about white collar crimes and he was constantly under surveillance or under indictment. I mean he was in jail during the time Carlo was sick and about to die. he was also indicted n 79 but was able t escape that when the bergin crew killed his co defendant Anthony Plate. Plus he would of been convicted in the Commission trial ifhe didn't die on cancer. So Im sure that played a part in carlo's decision. I still think paul was the better option. I mean even Gravano has said him and huys like Frankie Decicco liked Paul until he started doing stupid shit with the maid, getting greedy,etc