I think it is personal preference. To me the FB under the CC if it is not insulated good would give out heat to deal with when you are tending what you are smoking. Heat does rise.
Yep! Center feed reverse flow is the best! No drawbacks. Edgar is one.
I think the original end fed design, which goes back farther than anyone can remember, established that "LOOK" - just makes it look right if we keep that arrangement ….. There is no physical reason not to and a few good reasons to make them all center feed. But that's just the opinion of one raving lunatic….
And on the eighth day God created barbecue …. because he DOES love us and he wants us to be happy.
Current smokers: Egor (trailered RF) and Easybake (tabletop pellet drive)