Why would I pay Branch more than Hicks? After all, that's not fair!
I think that compensation is about expected value to the team, and market. Branch was our best interior lineman last year. If Belichick believes that Branch can be expected to perform at this level again, then he will be paid appropriately. Personally, I don't think that belichick will consider what he was willing to pay Hicks.
And, I suspect that we'll both be satisfied since we will likely get Branch for a 2017 $4M cap hit.
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With regard to Ryan and Harmon, I'd like to get them to take your under market contracts, but I think that Belichick will pay more if necessary. I don't see Butler getting a long-term deal until next off-season.
Your max prices would result in us having
CB: Butler (in his contract year), Rowe, Jones, Jones and Coleman
S: McCourty, Chung, Richards and Ebner
We would need to be in the free agent market for corners and safeties. I have NO REASON to that the market will produce better options than Ryan and Harmon.
Counting on picking up another Rowe would represent poor planning. Obviously, Belichick will take his flyers, some of which will succeed.