Today we decided to fuse War Story Wednesday with Tuesday’s theme and continue to roll out first-hand experiences from selected first-year agents.

Coral Springs, Fla.-based Jason Beneby, who represents Falcons DT Nosa Eguae: “There are a few (lessons I learned). One is, knowing the true NFL evaluation system of a player. I think once you understand and have the ability to separate what the mass media think compared to what people in the business know and understand, that point can’t be stressed enough. I would also stress bringing in players with good character and the drive for hard work. There’s a sense of entitlement in this generation of players and the key is to make them understand their work is not done just because they entered the draft and signed with an agent. It’s not about living life like you’re on an NFL team because you’re not. You want players that are good character. The NFL’s reality and a player’s perception are two different things.”

Bellevue, Wash.-based Scott Weitz, who represents Cardinals WR Kevin Smith: “I wish I’d raised investors so I could go after guys with a bigger piggy bank, to pay for the training and whatnot. The other thing is, to really focus on the quality of guys you get rather than the quantity of guys you’re getting. One of our internal goals was, we read an article on (an agent) that signed five guys in a previous draft class, and that was kind of our goal, and he was getting publicity, and (we learned) it’s not that hard to sign five guys that aren’t getting recruited, but it’s hard to sign two guys that are getting recruited. And you learn that once the draft comes, it’s not always easy to be on these teams’ radar and at that point you’re just dealing with disappointed guys afterwards. And another thing, you gotta have ITL behind you, especially that first year.

Fargo, N.D.-based Michael Gust, who represents Redskins CB Bryan Shepherd: “You don’t know what you don’t know. And frankly, that’s why everybody should sign up for (Inside the League). Your emails and the phone calls (you and I have) had . . . you don’t know what you don’t know. Unless you work at a firm that does this, and you come from that background, you don’t know anything about it. And even if you have that firm experience, sports management firm, until you’re actually the one dealing with the player face to face, one on one, you don’t know what you don’t know. Inside the League provides you with that info, (and informs) us of what we should know.”