This is pretty much my view as well. The fighter/warrior archetype is probably the most broad in fantasy literature and media. Therefore, the fighter class has to have an option that is more generic with additional features that add customization in order to emulate all of these archetypes as much as possible. By giving two additional feats, WoTC did a great job doing this. I have made stealthy fighters, front line defenders, and quasi-paladins all without giving up anything (by using feats that all the other classes got). To me, that is successful design. The more hard baked abilities you put in a class, the less customization you have.
It does. Every other class still gets backgrounds and feats. The fighter just gets more feats, the reason being what I just described above.
I actually think [MENTION=37579]Jester David[/MENTION] proposed a really nice solution – something I'd be excited to see in a reworked fighter class (akin to what they've done for the ranger):
Introduce two decision points into the fighter. The first (not a sub-class) is about going complex (e.g. using maneuvers akin to a Battle Master) or simple (e.g. static bonuses akin to Champion). The second choice (sub-class) is about the narrative, leaning more on exploration/interaction with narrative-reinforcing fighting mechanics. And in so doing, introduce more unique abilities (that other classes don't have & don't eclipse) as part of the sub-classes.
And then give the fighter (and the rogue while we're at it), a bunch of subclasses like the cleric & wizard get. On the conceit that the "CORE FOUR" classes are umbrellas for a broader range of character concepts, and thus should have 6-9 subclasses each.
To me, that would be
really attractive design for the fighter. It would preserve the customization options without short-thrifting the narrative springboard.
EDIT: So in my revised PHB model, the "CORE FOUR" and their sub-classes might be...
Cleric (8): Death, Knowledge, Life, Light, Nature, Tempest, Trickery, War
Fighter (8): Borderlands Guard, Cavalier, Eldritch Knight, Gladiator, Monster Slayer, Veteran, Warlord, ?
Rogue (8): Arcane Trickster, Assassin, Mastermind, Swashbuckler, Thief, ?, ?, ?
Wizard (8): Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment, Evocation, Necromancy, Transmutation, "Generalist"