but cautions about reverse thrust drifting the aircraft toward the downwind side of the runway when not aligned with the runway
Very true, I had to take the controls away from a new pilot in the 727 once because of that very issue. There have been a few accidents because of improper use of thrust reverse on contaminated runways.
One other thing, pay very close attention to the 'Brake cooling charts' on this aircraft. There has been at least one 727 literately blown out of the sky due to hot brakes and a few more severely damaged in flight.