Interesting...

Can't speak to the torque issue, since I wasn't hovering the Berkut, and I won't be hovering the jet.

But, I'd argue about a "gentle crash" doing more damage with a pusher. In testing of the Berkut, when we had some Reynolds-related "issues" with the canard, we plowed the prototype into the rough at the end of the runway on more than one occasion.... at full throttle, moving at about 40 to 50 mph. The most severe "crash" was enough to break the fiberglass at the nose, and break the nose gear former, but the power system, including the tank, which was secured with velcro, and even the prop, were undamaged. With less mass in the nose, the nose is more likely to deflect away from a surface, rather than just plow into the dirt, like a typical tractor system.

I've only got limited experience with pushers, and don't claim to be an expert on the subject, but that's my experience so far.