Really? Location doesn't matter? Doesn't location determine which group you're assigned at least within Groups 6-8?
I don't know what boarding procedure AA uses for general boarding, but certainly on other airlines, your seat location determines which boarding group you're in if you're not elite (either back-to-front or window-middle-aisle). Your location won't bump you up any higher than Group 6 if you have no status or AA co-branded credit card, but surely where you sit matters for boarding group assignments.