Frankie was 'street smart'. As other have said, an 'old timer' in his way of thinking and fighting. He admitted he didn't have Michael's (or Roth's) head for 'big deals'. That was what lead to his downfall.

But yes, as he proves in the end by the way he accepts and in effect takes charge of his fate, as well as the future of his family...he was most certainly in the general configuration of things...smart.

Apple