1.) This is obviously about the franchise tag, and you mentioned it in your decoding. And, as far as "learning", most players get hostile about that tag, so any "learning" is clearly in the future if we use your logic.
2.) I notice you didn't cite to Vinatieri. Good call, but that 800 pound gorilla still kills your argument.
3.) Branch was under contract and acted like an ass. New England got a #1 pick out of the deal, found a receiver it can use going forward (Gaffney) and played well enough offensively to get to the AFC Championship Game, even without Branch. What you call a fiasco, I call a pretty good job of making chicken salad out of chicken leavings.
4.) Law was already being paid a ridiculous amount of money and wanted to continue that even as he aged. New England tried to work something out, but couldn't satisfy Law, so they did the right thing and balked at his asking price. The Jets, who signed him for big cash, didn't hang onto him after that, which should tell you something. When New England made another offer to him after that, he again went after the cash. That's his right to do so, but it's by no means a New England 'mistake'.