But you are still putting Java in your html pages... just all the way down at the bottom. So the two options you are considering are:
1) Place a tiny bit of Java code mixed in with HTML (purely for presentation purposes).
2) Place a bit more Java code mixed with a convoluted javascript at the bottom of the page to do a simple routine.
Disadvantages to 1: Mixture of Java and HTML but no Java logic to drive the page.
Disadvantages to 2: Still a mix of Java and HTML, throw in a bit of javascript and now you have a maintence nightmare.
With the exeception of Custom Tags, it seems number 1 is the only logical answer. BTW, the Custom Tag for this purpose would be trival to write and if number one is definitely out (for whatever reason) I suggest going with the Custom Tag solution.
Wushutwist