Arizona Cardinals

Matt Shaughnessy still getting used to playing 3-4 defensive end

Published Jun. 25, 2015 5:58 p.m. ET

foxsports

Matt Shaughnessy has been playing outside linebacker the last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, but this offseason the coaching staff made the decision to move Shaughnessy to defensive end.

Defensive end is not a new position for Shaughnessy as he played the position with the Raiders. But what is new for Shaughnessy is playing the position in a 3-4 scheme rather than a 4-3.

"It's different," Shaughnessy told ESPN. "I played the 3-4 end once when I was in Oakland because they're predominantly 4-3. But I think the biggest thing is just getting my hands right and I think once I get that down, it'll get easier."

Cardinal defensive line coach Brentson Buckner said the biggest adjustment for Shaughnessy will be the type of players who are attempting to block him.

"Now he's dealing with 330 pounders every day," Buckner said, via ESPN.com.

"But because he had to drop in coverage and do some things foot-speed wise, it's going to help him coming back down (with his hand in the dirt) because now he's dealing with bigger guys size-wise but foot-speed wise they're a lot slower than chasing those tight ends and running backs."

Buckner thinks Shaughnessy is adapting well to the position change. He doesn't foresee many problems during the season and thinks he will end up being a big help on the line for the Cardinals.

"He's playing well," Buckner said. "He's coming back home. He's taking some time but he's starting to get back in the feel of things. You can see the natural defensive lineman come out of him."

(h/t ESPN)