Gary Guyton Gary Guyton ( born November 14 , 1985 ) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent . He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2008 . He played college football at Georgia Tech . Early years . Guyton was born in Hinesville , Georgia . He had 56 tackles , six tackles for loss , three sacks , three fumble recoveries , five pass breakups and a blocked kick and returned two fumbles and an interception for touchdowns as a senior at Bradwell Institute in Hinesville . As a junior he had 59 tackles with nine sacks , 10 tackles for loss , one interception and a fumble recovery . College career . Guyton was a two - year starter for the Georgia Institute of Technology . As a freshman in 2004 , he saw action in 12 games on special teams . As a sophomore in 2005 , he made 19 tackles , one sack and one pass defended . In 2006 he had 29 tackles while making 12 starts at outside linebacker . As a senior in 2007 , Guyton finished second on the team in total tackles with 78 while starting all 13 games . He also had five sacks and 14 tackles for a loss . Professional career . Pre - draft measureables . Guyton had the fastest 40 yard dash time out of all the linebackers in the 2008 NFL combine with a 4 . 47 time . New England Patriots . 2008 season . On April 28 , 2008 , Guyton signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots . The previous day rumors circulated that Guyton had agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers , however confusion arose when 49ers General Manager Scot McCloughan said he would divulge names of undrafted free agents with whom the club had agreed to terms and the following day , Guyton had officially signed with the Patriots . Guyton , an undrafted free agent , made the Patriots ' 53 - man roster , and was active for all but one game of his rookie season in 2008 , while the Patriots ' third - round draft pick Shawn Crable , an outside linebacker , was inactive , and another inside linebacker , sixth - round draft pick Bo Ruud , was placed on injured reserve . Guyton also started two games late in the season after an injury to Tedy Bruschi . In the Patriots ' against the San Francisco 49ers , the Patriots employed multiple nickel and dime defenses that gave Guyton more defensive snaps than fellow rookie inside linebacker Jerod Mayo , the Patriots ' 2008 first - round draft pick . In interviews , Patriots head coach Bill Belichick noted that they had debated drafting Guyton over Ruud , but ultimately chose Ruud ; in retrospect , Belichick admitted that the Patriots should have drafted Guyton and undrafted free agent running back BenJarvus Green - Ellis . 2009 season . Due to Bruschi ' s retirement just prior to the start of the season , Guyton would go to start all 16 games for the Patriots in 2009 . He began the season as a 3 - 4 weakside linebacker before the middle linebacker , Mayo , was injured in Week 1 . Guyton started at 4 - 3 middle linebacker for the Patriots in Weeks 2 – 5 , in place of Mayo . Upon Mayo ' s return , the two started the rest of the season as 3 - 4 inside linebackers . Guyton finished the season with 85 tackles and 1 . 5 sacks . Following the season , the Patriots signed Guyton to a two - year extension worth over $ 2 . 1 million , including a $ 650 , 000 signing bonus ; as Guyton was an exclusive rights free agent , the Patriots were only required to offer him a one - year minimum tender of $ 470 , 000 . 2010 season . Guyton scored his first career touchdown in the Patriots ' Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals , on a 59 - yard interception return of a Carson Palmer pass . It was the first interception by a Patriots linebacker since the 2008 season . In Week 14 against the Chicago Bears , Guyton returned a second quarter Bears fumble 35 yards for a touchdown . In 16 games played ( eight starts ) , Guyton recorded 63 tackles , three sacks , two interceptions , and one forced fumble . Miami Dolphins . Guyton signed with the Miami Dolphins on April 13 , 2012 . Dallas Cowboys . Guyton signed with the Dallas Cowboys on November 6th , 2012 . He was released three days later without appearing in a game . San Diego Chargers . On December 12 , 2012 Guyton signed with the San Diego Chargers .