I realize I stand alone on this and I'm a big conspiracy theory guy anyway, but I think Kam signed his deal at a respectable but team friendly rate because he wanted to keep the tem together. Then Marshawn holds out, and Sherman Chancelor and the midget all get fat deals predicated at being the highest paid at their position.
Kam looks around and says "WTF" happened to this team concept and team friendly deals? I screwed myself.
Just my theory but I imagine it happened something like that (at least in my mind)