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How NFL stars are realigned

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Times Staff Writer

With Jason Taylor heading to Washington and Jeremy Shockey bound for New Orleans, NFL fans will have to get used to the odd sight of those star players in new uniforms.

But that’s the NFL, where rosters are shuffled and reshuffled every season.

A look at some of the familiar faces in new places this season:

CB Asante Samuel, Philadelphia -- The prize of the free agent talent pool, Samuel was an All-Pro with New England last season and has 22 interceptions in the last 75 games. He adds some instant pizazz to an Eagles defense that recorded an NFL-worst 19 take-aways last season.

WR Donte Stallworth, Cleveland -- This former first-round pick gives Derek Anderson another deep threat and should help take pressure off fellow receiver Braylon Edwards. Stallworth wasn’t a primary target with the Patriots last season, but he could stretch the field.

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LB Rosevelt Colvin, Houston -- The Texans are hoping just a bit of New England magic rubs off on them, and they see Colvin as the type of experienced player who can help mold Mario Williams into a superstar. At 30, Colvin might not have many years left to play.

DE Jevon Kearse, Tennessee -- “The Freak” returns to where his career began and will compete with rookie William Hayes for the starting left end spot. Kearse, coming off four lackluster seasons in Philadelphia, hasn’t had double-digit sack numbers since 2001.

TE Alge Crumpler, Tennessee -- The Titans had only nine touchdown receptions last season, so Crumpler gives them a big, reliable target. He isn’t the same player he was in his Atlanta heyday, but he knows how to get open.

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WR Keary Colbert, Denver -- Carolina had high hopes for Colbert after his five-touchdown rookie season. The former USC standout was far less productive in his second season, though, and was pretty average the last two years. He’ll get a fresh start with the Broncos.

CB DeAngelo Hall, Oakland -- The league’s best cornerback tandem could be shrouded in silver and black this season. Hall, the outspoken former Falcons standout, paired with Nnamdi Asomugha, should rekindle memories of Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes.

DE Jared Allen, Minnesota -- The Vikings paid a steep price -- a first-round pick and two third-round picks -- to pry loose Allen from Kansas City, but they figure he’s worth it. Allen led the NFL with 15 1/2 sacks last season.

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WR Bernard Berrian, Minnesota -- Signing Berrian was doubly sweet for the Vikings. Not only did they get a premier deep threat, but they won’t have to face him in Chicago anymore.

RB Michael Turner, Atlanta -- The understudy to LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego, Turner was among the league’s best backup running backs. Now, he’ll get a chance to prove he’s a capable starter. He’ll have to do it behind a less-than-stellar line.

K Jason Elam, Atlanta -- It’s hard to imagine Elam in anything other than a Broncos uniform. Kicking for the Falcons now, he’ll be trading the benefits of high altitude for the windless predictability of a dome.

RB Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay -- The Buccaneers don’t just stockpile quarterbacks, they have quite a crowd at running back too: Dunn, Cadillac Williams, Earnest Graham and Michael Bennett. A first-round pick of the Bucs in 1997, Dunn re-signed with them after six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

WR Isaac Bruce, San Francisco -- Who better to help implement Mike Martz’s offensive system than Bruce, who had so many stellar seasons with Martz in St. Louis? Question is, can he still beat defenders at age 35?

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sam.farmer@latimes.com

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