I'm probably one of the culprits--we generally want the gear down and flaps 15 (737-300)by about 2000amsl and at that point reduce speed to 160 which is still 10 knots above the standard speed for that flap setting. It has become so common to be required at 160 to 4D that it is anticipated. We can't go all the way at 180 or the runways will need to be extended!