As pointed the decavalcante was always small and less considerated by the other family with even Philly that had a crew in north jersey. I think that the DeCavalcantes like the Patriarca born when two families merged in one only that decavalcantes was unlucky and becomed the small fish in a big fishes sea and only become Sam DeCavalcante had strong ties with bonanno that his family gained a seat in the commission.

I think that most of the NJ mobster that can't be made in the other families to gain the made man status prefered to joint the decavalcante.
But was ever so weak ? I know that until ocean Palermo flipped the family also had a crew in NY city.
And was really a Gambino puppet ?
Thanks