You aren't wrong in what you say, but in a sense you are giving Volin too much credit for his note, because it doesn't take any sources to realize that the team obviously made offers most of their FA's. You don't need "sources" to figure out that none of those offers would make those players the top paid player at their position. However he starts to use code words for cheap and insulting like "team friendly" THEN he is just making it up as he is going along. No one knows what is being offered in these deals. Judging from past experience, while the team doesn't often make a player the top paid player in their position, they've done many that put them in the top 5. And of course, they have given several players like, Gronk, Brady, Seymour, Mankins, etc the top paid player.
Personally I think part of the problem with Collins and Hightower, at least, is the $14MM franchise tag for LB's that was partially caused by big contract guys like Miller and Ware, who are mostly edge rushers, but pushed the franchise number through the roof. They really don't play the same position as Collins and Hightower, yet their contracts (and others) have set the market.
Finally IF the Pats can do deals with Bennett and Hightower, they can lower this year's cap to well over 10MM. Or for example they do a long term deal with Hightower that would lower this year's cap, which would allow them to front load a shorter deal with Bennett so he won't be a cap burden at the end of his contract.
Just some thoughts and I think Volin is a self important mediot who isn't above making it up, based on things we would take for granted as common sense.