Nope. Not taking your comments as a shilling at all. In fact, I am honored by them. It is only my opinion and I think your comments on them do them justice.
As far as your story last year, I did like it. Didn't love it but I thought it was worthy of publication. It was as good as anything I've read in professionally published magazines.
If I were to compare it to an entry in this years anthology it would be 'The Assignment of Runner ETI' by Fiona Lehn (one of your favorites). Solid and strong, just a bit long.