We have long presumed — apparently based on reports we read when the Texans struck a deal with David Carr in early April of 2002 or when the Bengals agreed to terms with Carson Palmer prior to the 2003 draft — that the team with the No. 2 overall pick would acquire the ability to negotiate with one or more players after the first overall selection is under contract.

And we’re not ashamed to admit that our understanding apparently was wr-wr-wr-wr-screwed up.

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that the league has informed the St. Louis Rams that they are not permitted to negotiate with any of the other draft prospects between now and Saturday.  The decision reportedly came from the league’s management council.

Apparently, however, the league is engaged in “internal discussions” that could eventually allow the Rams to negotiate with one or more players before being on the clock at of Saturday afternoon.

We’re surprised that the league hadn’t already addressed this issue before today, and we don’t understand why the Rams wouldn’t be permitted to negotiate with any player whom they choose now that Jake Long is signed, sealed, and delivered.

Hopefully, we’ll get some answers to those questions soon.