Evan Mathis says 'focus' is most important factor to Denver Broncos success in 2015

New Denver Broncos offensive guard, Evan Mathis, joined Eric Goodman and Zach Fogg on Mile High Sports' Afternoon Drive and talked about the Baltimore Ravens and upcoming season.

"I came here with like maybe a couple weeks left in the preseason and I was able to get some good cramming sessions in and learn the playbook as fast as I could. The biggest thing is getting acclimated to the altitude and I've made progress in that area, so its been a good transition so far."

On the Broncos offensive line being much maligned in the press

"I would like to think my addition would make it much better, but I'm not really focused on that reputation aspect of it or potential we have. We're just trying as a group to work really hard and take this thing one game at a time and more specifically one play at a time."

On the Ravens pass rushers Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs

"They are definitely elite pass rushers. They're at the kind of guys you can't let them change the game or impact the game too much, so you have the sense of urgency to know where they are."

On talk of Broncos and Ravens being the two best teams in AFC

"That kind of stuff doesn't matter at all. Obviously, to get to that point you have a ton of work to do - a ton of games to win and that's where you focus has to be. Your focus has to be on the here and now and what you are doing in the present. You can't expect it to be given to you or handed to you based on what should be or all of this 'potential' talk. The favorite doesn't always win, the underdog doesn't always lose. So all of the talent and potential, none of that means anything unless you stay focused and you go to work to make it happen."

Can Mathis solidify the offensive line in 2015?

Evan Mathis certainly has the right mentality of a veteran leader and pairing him with Louis Vasquez should make the interior of this offensive line one of the better units in the NFL. The big question then becomes, how will rookie Ty Sambrailo and Ryan Harris hold up on the outside? Against the Ravens, the Broncos offensive line may face their most difficult task of the season. So we're going to find out quickly what we got either way.

Bonus listen

Eric and Zach talk to former Broncos safety, Nick Ferguson about the upcoming Broncos match-up against the Baltimore Ravens.