I handled a Canon 70-200/2.8 II couple of years back and one thing I remember is that it was rather heavy - and Nikon one weighs about the same (~3.3 pounds or so), which is to say it weight 2 pounds more than a 18-200. Methinks you should get yourself down to B&H and try it out. I personally wouldn't want to handle that much weight, but I've got tendinosis. Also, from what I read, Nikon 70-200 VR2 is actually bit shorter than 200mm and gets shorter as you focus closer.
As for Tokina, aren't they going out with an updated version of 11-16 soon?