How large is the ϱ-meson longitudinal coupling?

We point out that the relative phases of πN → ρ{variant}N resonant amplitudes observed recently to have signs consistent with unbroken SU(6)_W symmetry are even more consistent with a broken form of this symmetry in which the longitudinal ρ{variant}-meson coupling vanishes. We suggest one important partial wave amplitude that could distinguish between these models, and advocate the use of a different set of basis states for describing the amplitudes. We discuss some theoretical implications that would result from the absence of any substantial longitudinal ρ{variant}-meson coupling to baryons.