Omar Gaither Omar Thabiti Gaither ( born March 18 , 1984 ) is an American football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft . He has played for the Philadelphia Eagles , Carolina Panthers , Houston Texans , and Oakland Raiders . He played college football at Tennessee . Early years . Gaither played high school football at Myers Park High School . College career . Gaither played college football at the University of Tennessee from 2002 to 2005 . He was a two - year starter at Tennessee , Gaither recorded 210 tackles with 6 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss . As a senior , finished with 78 tackles , 4 sacks , 7 . 5 tackles for a loss , and 4 forced fumbles en route to his second straight Second - team All - SEC . Had a career - high 92 tackles , including 12 . 5 tackles for a loss as a junior when he took over the strongside ( or " Sam " ) linebacker duties . Professional career . Philadelphia Eagles . Gaither was drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles . Gaither received significant playing time later in the 2006 season due to the struggles and injury of starter Matt McCoy . Gaither got his first NFL start at weakside linebacker on December 4 , 2006 on a " Monday Night Football " win against the Carolina Panthers . He became the starter at weakside linebacker for the final 7 games ( post and regular season ) and finished with 58 tackles , 1 sack , and 1 interception . Ranked second on the team in special teams tackles ( 30 ) and 4th in special teams production points ( 185 ) . Gaither was named the starter at middle linebacker in 2007 after the release of Jeremiah Trotter , and started all 16 games at middle linebacker and tallied team highs in tackles ( 170 ) and quarterback hurries ( 14 ) . He also ranked second on the team with 14 KDs , intercepting one pass , defending seven passes , and forcing one fumble . Prior to the start of 2008 , Gaither was moved back to his true position of weakside linebacker to make move room for Stewart Bradley . Though not an indictment of Gaither ' s performance , Bradley took over the MLB spot largely in part to his phenomenal first start against the New Orleans Saints in week 16 of 2007 ( a game in which Gaither played Weakside ( " Will " ) Linebacker ) . Gaither was benched prior to the week 12 game at the Baltimore Ravens in favor of Akeem Jordan . After starting middle linebacker Bradley suffered a torn ACL which caused him to be placed on injured reserve in 2009 , Gaither beat out second - year linebacker Joe Mays for the starting position . Four weeks into the season , however , the Eagles re - signed Trotter to replace Gaither on first - and second - down plays . Gaither suffered a Lisfranc sprain during a game against the Oakland Raiders and was placed on injured reserve on October 28 , 2009 . Gaither was re - signed to a one - year contract on March 31 , 2010 . Carolina Panthers . Gaither was signed by the Carolina Panthers on July 31 , 2011 , played in all four pre - season games and ten regular season games ( started four ) , and was released on March 13 , 2012 . Houston Texans . The Houston Texans signed Gaither on August 9 , 2012 , but released him during final cuts . Oakland Raiders . The Oakland Raiders signed Gaither on November 14 , 2012 , to replace the injured Travis Goethel . Gaither re - signed with the Raiders on July 29 , 2013 , but released him during final cuts . Atlanta Falcons . The Atlanta Falcons signed Gaither , along with fellow Eagles teammate Jamar Chaney , on September 17 , 2013 , to replace the injured Sean Weatherspoon .