Answer from cs61c-ed (Cory Benavides 14101530) for Question 1
It depends on how long it takes for the flip-flops to react to their  inputs, on the clock cycle, and on what is expected. If the propagation time of the net system is less than a clock cycle, then both flip-flops will have the same value when sampled.  I suppose this could have a positive effect if the second flip-flop was meant to delay the signal.  It would be negative if each flip-flop were intended to output a different value.