I think you underestimate Shaw and his ability make deals. He was highly regarded in NFL circles and sat at the head of many committees that dealt with the intricacies of player/management relations along with the movement of franchises and the rules governing free agency. I once shared a martini with him at a function celebrating the closing of a restaurant in Upland, CA owned by a close friend of the Frontiere's. Our firm represented the restaurant and a few of us (Ram fans) were invited to attend. By the end of the conversation between Shaw and myself he knew all about me, my wife, my son, my practice, and a lot more. I, OTOH, knew nothing about him. I never felt played and I admired his ability to find out about another w/o revealing much about himself. Not someone you would want to negotiate with.
