God Guiding Gilbert Request

A missed paycheck and so-so performance by the defensive line have done nothing to rattle the holdout of Washington’s franchise player, Sean Gilbert.

Gilbert’s agent said Tuesday a “revelation from God” was keeping his client from joining the Redskins.

“It’s over money, but it’s not about money. It’s a spiritual thing,” agent Gus Sunseri said. “Sean feels he’s had a revelation from God that this should be the figure” in his contract.

Gilbert, who credits a religious conversion in 1994 for saving him from the wild lifestyle of his early pro years, has been demanding a deal worth $5 million per year, although Sunseri said Gilbert “would sit down and consider” $4.5 million. The Redskins have offered $3.6 million over six years. Both sides consider the other’s demands untenable.

Redskins general manager Charley Casserly would only say: “Our offer is a fair offer based on our thoughts on Sean Gilbert as a player.”

Gilbert was angered when the Redskins designated him their franchise player after the 1996 season, a move which kept him from testing the free agent market.