In regards to number 2. Providing the Mage doesn't throw a Weird into the fray on every encounter, and once he's ran out of weirds suddenly request a rest, that makes sense. Just because a mage cant throw a weird or AOE into the fray, doesnt mean that the six fighters behind him are all going to die.
While in some places it might be nescessary, in many others it's just plain sad/boring when the spell-caster says, "Wait! Don't move! I have to cast every buff spell in my spellbook on you or that badger might nip you, and heaven forbid it might even draw a drop of blood if it does!" Then twenty minutes later, "There that should do it. Hey, hey... HEY! Wake up! I'm done casting now."
What if a crossbow is beyond one's carrying capacity? lol
There are a lot of parties that like the run and hack thing and hate to rest for the caster, especially if they have to wait for a bit due to the new resting restrictions.