Middle linebacker Omar Gaither turned in his best performance of the short 2009 season on Sunday in the teams' 34-14 destruction of the Kansas City Chiefs when he notched a season-high 11 tackles and a sack.

Some have wondered if the Eagles' decision to work out former defensive mainstay Jeremiah Trotter prior to the game provided Gaither with any extra motivation, but Gaither said it wasn't a factor at all.

"The motivation was (the Saints game)," Gaither said. "It had nothing to do with (the workout of Trotter).

"I keep tunnel vision. I just stick to the script, whatever it is I need to do. If you get caught up in everything else you can lose your mind with things that happen. I just keep my head forward and do the things that I need to do."

The Eagles signed Trotter anyway to a one-year deal on Tuesday. It appears that Gaither will remain as the nickel linebacker and play on passing downs as Trotter will take over the run downs. At 261 pounds, Trotter's body is better-equipped to handle the physical run teams that stand in the Eagles' way in the near future - Tampa Bay, Oakland, Washington and the Giants.

However, Gaither was up to the challenge against the Chiefs, who spent most of their time running the ball. The versatile Gaither, who can play all three linebacker positions, was a big factor in the Chiefs' 0-for-11 mark on third down conversions. Like a true leader, Gaither gave the credit to his teammates.

"The defensive line did a great job," Gaither said. "That's what enabled me to get downhill and flow like that. If not for Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson, those plays don't happen."

Gaither also discussed the importance of heading into the bye week on a positive note.

"Going into this bye week, we get a win, we get guys healthy, and we try to get the ball rolling," he said. "It's important (to get guys healthy).

"In this league, there's so much parity, you want to have your best guys playing every week."

And there will be one more in tow, when the Eagles get back to work next Monday.

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 4:49 p.m., September 30