Originally Posted by
Ian W
In fact the forward and higher placement of the engines that required MCAS because of their aerodynamic lift at high AoA, has also significantly reduced the pitch/power couple as the engines are closer to the vertical midline. In any case the idea is not to get to the full thrust position in the first place. As stated up thread the aircraft might have been controllable in pitch at a reduced speed.
All fair points. I'm sure it would have been more controllable at lower speed but the fact is they got fast with a large nose down trim input they couldn't counter. Reducing thrust at that point would only make things worse.