Oh yes, I definitely agree. My main point is... well... let me put it this way.

Taking out the references of Sifo-dyas in EP II would be an appropriate change, imo. Also, taking out the references that Padme "lost the will to live" in EP III would be an appropriate change.

But, when people talk about taking out the entire pod race, or taking out all references of gungans, or completely removing the Yoda vs. Dooku lightsaber duel, that would disturb the flow of the movies even more rather than smooth the flow. I just have the feeling that those sections would just be too big to lop off effectively.

But hey, I could be wrong. ;)