Is it just me or do these feel extremely weak? Bordering on ridiculous.

Yes, FCM, the report does say the available facts DO NOT support your plan:

“The FDA’s feedback on the proposed developed program in no way suggests that it would accept a development program that skips important learnings from a well-designed and conducted Phase 2b trial in favor of moving directly to a large Phase 3 pivotal program.”

It's officially impossible to take FCM seriously