I choose window when I can if I am alone; but for most of the flight the blinds are drawn and there is nothing to see anyway. I have flown in D/G and I would rather do that than be in any J seat on any other airline that I know of.

PS If a seat assignment is so important, the AA app is not the thing to rely on, better to use the QR app or web page. It may have been changed a long time ago.
PPS Once the seats are under airport control, EF may or may not be current. But it does not hurt to ask at PHL, other seats could open up also. Maybe the blocked seats in Row 1 can be unblocked.