That T-16 idea is an interesting one - too bad the entire podrace sequence couldn't be replaced with T-16 canyon racing instead - it would jive better with Anakin being a brilliant pilot and with him flying the star fighter at the end.

Getting back to an idea Bingowings brought up earlier, about cutting Anakin's original introduction and having him meet Qui-Gon at the market - could the footage of Anakin seeing Qui-Gon's lightsaber (o-eer, that sounds dirty :P ) be spliced into the 'Greedo/Anakin fight' cut scene - so Qui-Gon sees some kids fighting and goes over to impart some unsolicited Jedi Wisdom (tm), Anakin spies the lightsaber hidden under his robe (got to get my mind out of the gutter...) and then decides to follow him to the fruit stand.