I reread the article. You're probably right (he talks about getting "called back for an in-person interview).

I swear to god I'm not commenting out of someone-is-wrong-on-the-Internet-ism. There are developers out there that really believe that what recruiters think about them matters, and recruiters really do prey on that.

As an employer, I also have an irrational distaste for recruiters. They are the worst cold-call inside salespeople ever; it is impossible to get them off the phone.