Neri was Mike's second in command since the meeting in vitos office when mike announces the Vegas move. His character was such that be didn't need to speak to get the job done or his point across. If they would have left the klingman scene in, you would have seen neri loose his temper. He did jobs without getting emotional ( except for j would argue the fredo affair) you can see his dismay when like tells him to let fredo go until mama dies, even more so at her funeral when mike gives him the look.
As for characters, how about when at the wedding, 100 .lb Paulie reaches inside his jacket like he' s gonna grab his gun if the FBI guy, then gives him the horn symbol with his hand. Bad writing of you ask me.