A vocal and instinctive playmaker, Omar Gaither quickly emerged as a force on defense in his first season as the starting middle linebacker in 2007. Starting in all 16 games, Gaither tallied team highs in tackles (170) and hurries (14), while also ranking 2nd in knockdowns (14). Said defensive coordinator Jim Johnson of Gaither's grasp of the defense: ""He's come up and handled things. Sometimes, I don't even have to signal the defenses in, he knows what I want. He has control of the defense."" A fifth-round draft pick in 2006, Gaither earned a starting spot at WILL linebacker for the final seven games of his rookie season (including playoffs).

2007 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Started all 16 games at MLB and tallied team highs in tackles (170) and QB hurries (14). Also ranked 2nd on the team with 14 KDs
• Was the 2007 recipient of the Jack Edelstein Memorial Award, which is given to the Eagles player with an uplifting manner, a love for life, and an exceptional sense of humor who makes all with whom he comes in contact with feel good
• Posted 14 tackles in a win vs. Buf. (12/30)
• Recorded 15 tackles, 1KD and 1 FF vs. NYG (12/9). The FF was the 1st of his career
• Tallied 13 tackles and 5 KDs at NE (11/25)
• Registered a career-high 16 tackles vs. Chi. (10/21)
• Picked off an Eli Manning pass on the Eagles own 8-yd. line and returned it 49 yds., negating a Giants drive at NYG (9/30)

2006 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Became the starter at WILL linebacker for the final 7 games (post and regular season) and finished with 58 tackles, 1 sack,  and 1 INT. Ranked 2nd on the team in special teams tackles (30) and 4th in special teams production points (185)
• Played nearly the entire game at MLB vs. Atl. (12/31/06) and amassed a career-high 14 tackles
• Recorded his first career sack vs. NYG (12/17/06), bringing down Eli Manning for a 12-yd. loss to put New York out of FG range. Was the first Eagles rookie LB to record a sack since Ray Farmer did so in 1996
• Picked off Jason Campbell for his first career INT at Was. (12/10/06)

BIRDSEED:

• His new favorite hobby is boating. His 20-foot powerboat is docked at Dredge Harbor Boat Center in Delran, NJ, and is used for fishing, waterskiing, and relaxation with his family. "I'm definitely hooked.""
• His vocal nature on the field stems from his days in elementary school. "I used to get in trouble all the time in school for talking. I would finish my work very quickly and get good grades, but then I would spend the rest of the time in class talking.""
• Claims to make the best banana pudding and specializes in the perfect mixture of ""sweet tea."" Learned how to cook from his mother.  Also gained experience in his first job, working in the kitchen at a nursing home. ""Most of the time I just cleaned off plates, but once in awhile the chef let me cook."" His best meal: ""T-Bone steak and potatoes""
• Being a fifth-round draft pick did not sit well with Gaither. "I definitely feel that I was overlooked and it ticked me off. I was given the number 96 as a rookie and I hated it. I still do. That's not even a linebacker number. But I have chosen to keep it as a reminder of why I hate it."
• An all-around athlete, Gaither played football, basketball, and ran track growing up in Charlotte, NC. He also played in one organized game of baseball when he was 12 years old. "I was at the field throwing the ball around with my friends and this coach saw me. He got me a uniform, suited me up and asked me to pitch in the game that night. It was the first time I ever played baseball. I pitched the whole game and we won. I don't remember the exact score, but I know it was a pitcher's duel."
• Enjoys cleaning. In fact, when he returns to his parents' home in the offseason, they put him ""back to work"" around the house. ""They have me doing the same old things, cleaning, washing dishes, vacuuming. I enjoy it though. I like to keep a tight ship.""
• During the 2007 offseason, Gaither was invited to attend a pair of three-day sessions at the Harvard Business School as part of the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program, which strives to help players manage their money. While there, Gaither conceived his own apartment complex, studied real estate, and made contacts with teachers who operate billion-dollar properties
• For more information, log on to Omar-Gaither.com

PERSONAL:

• Resides in South Jersey
• Is the son of Michael and Mary Gaither. Has two brothers, Saeed and Joshua, and one older sister, Tanesha
• Earned All-America honors at Myers Park HS and North Carolina defensive MVP honors in the 2001 Shrine Bowl
• Averaged 14 pts. and 10 rebounds in basketball as a senior and was recruited by Princeton and Wagner. Also participated in the hurdles and long jump
• Played on the same AAU basketball team as former Wake Forest guard and friend Justin Gray. Also played against former Duke guard J.J. Redick in high school
• Names Mark Harris, his AAU basketball coach and steel salesman in Charlotte, as one of his top mentors. ""He taught us the value of hard work and how it makes you successful. He taught us great life lessons and I always make a point to go out to dinner with him when I'm back in Charlotte.""
• Owns a German Shepherd named Ox
• Enjoys reading books that are inspirational, including one of his favorites, ""Teamwork Makes the Dream Work."" Still owns his copy of ""Clifford the Big Red Dog,"" his favorite book as a child
• His favorite non-football team is the University of North Carolina basketball squad. Names Michael Jordan and Ed Cota as his two favorite Tar Heels.
• Is a self-proclaimed ""movie buff"" and says that the best movie of all-time is ""Shawshank Redemption""
• Says that if he was not a football player he would be a lawyer. ""I love to argue and prove my point.""
• Would like to get into the real estate business when his playing days are over
• Is a member of the Eagles offseason basketball team
• Played the trumpet when he was younger
• Earned a degree in sports management, minored in business and earned SEC All-Academic honors 3 times
• Full name: Omar Thabiti Gaither

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS:
A two-year starter at Tennessee, Gaither recorded 210 tackles with 6 sacks and 23 TFLs. As a senior, finished with 78 tackles, 4 sacks, 7.5 TFLs, and 4 FFs en route to his 2nd straight All-SEC 2nd team honors. Had a career-high 92 tackles, including 12.5 TFLs as a junior when he took over the SAM linebacker duties.

INJURY HISTORY:
Suffered a quad contusion in the 3rd qtr. at NO (12/23/07) that sidelined him for the remainder of the game.