The last time the Chiefs used a top-ten pick on a defensive tackle, the contract impasse lasted into the regular season.

This time around, it likely will last at least until the guy drafted after Glenn Dorsey signs a contract. 

For now, the team opted to suspend talks because agent Joel Segal wants to wait for more picks to sign before doing a deal.

“Our comment to Glenn Dorsey’s agent was:  Look it, since you don’t want to negotiate, we’re going to go to camp and get started,” G.M. Carl Peterson said.  ”When you want to negotiate, you know how to reach us, so give me a phone call.”

When it comes to negotiating first-round contracts, Segal’s reputation is to wait for the player drafted in front of and behind his client to agree to terms.  Segal then does a deal that falls between the two packages.

The practice flows (in our opinion) from a combination of laziness and fear.  A slotted deal is easy to do when a ceiling and a floor have been established.  Besides, an agent who negotiates a contract before the next player signs risks being leapfrogged.

In this case, Jets linebacker Vernon Gholston is the next player behind Dorsey.  In fairness, then, Gholston’s agent, Ben Dogra, should get a commission not only from his client but also from Dorsey, since Dogra’s work will make it easier (and safer) for Segal to proceed.