[RunawayEngineer]

I haven't tried throwing the noodles, but I tend to believe the people who say that it is difficult to make the distance. I think at early matches people are going to realize that in trying to throw them that they are making more obstacles for their own machines.
I think that the 6 points for one in a scored RC is going to be overlooked, as well. In early matches, everyone is going to be so focused on stacking totes that they will not notice that getting an RC with a noodle in it is worth more points to them.
Later on, since RCs are limited, making the most out of each one will be essential. That's where the noodles come in.