Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 16, 1994 TAG: 9408160098
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By MIKE BURROWS COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE TELEGRAPH
DATELINE: GREELEY, COLO. LENGTH: Medium
``He's put on 20 pounds since he's been here,'' said Bob Ferguson, the Broncos' director of football operations. ``I don't know if he didn't get enough food in the mountains [at Appalachian State] or what.''
An offensive tackle, Farkas carries 370 pounds on his 6-foot-9 frame. He's believed to be the largest player the Broncos have had in any of their 35 camps.
``Can't seem to stop growing,'' Farkas said.
``Biggest guy I've ever seen or coached,'' said John Levra, Denver's offensive-line coach.
``But he doesn't look 370, which is important,'' Ferguson said. ``He's pretty light on his feet for 6-9 and 370. He's not a fat guy. He's not a sports writer, not even a personnel guy.''
Farkas played his first two years of college football at Liberty University, Jerry Falwell's school in Lynchburg, Va., then he transferred to Appalachian State in Boone, N.C., and played two years there.
``Me and Jerry, we were on a first-name basis when I played at Liberty,'' Farkas said. ``I was the only guy on our team that could say, `Hey, Jerry, how it's going? Jerry, what's happening?'
``Why'd I leave? I got kicked out - twice. They've got a lot of rules at Liberty, you know. No sex, no cussing, no smoking, no alcohol. I could handle all those. What I couldn't handle was no dippin' snuff.''
Booted from Liberty, Farkas moved back to his home in Richmond, Va., and got a job driving an earthmover. The job paid $14.50 an hour.
``Real good money, but too much work,'' Farkas said. ``I'd rather play football and sweat than drive an earthmover and sweat.''
Farkas said he was a 6-9, 275-pound high school senior.
He stood 5-10 in ninth grade.
``I have relatives who'd go maybe five, six months without seeing me, and they wouldn't recognize me,'' Farkas said. ``I'd tell them, `Yeah, it's really me.' They'd say, `That really you in there, Kevin?'
``I was a big baby, I guess, but my mom's only 5-6 and my dad's just 6-2.''
The Broncos have Farkas playing left tackle behind Gary Zimmerman, a four-time Pro Bowler. Farkas wasn't drafted, but that doesn't mean he isn't a prospect. The Broncos think he might have a future in the NFL.
``He's gotten better each and every day he's been with us,'' Ferguson said.
``I wouldn't overdo it. He's not a player yet. He's got a long way to go. But he's not that bad, either.
``Everyone looked at him in the beginning and wondered what the hell the guy was doing here. But I like big players, huge guys. Sometimes they don't look good for a while. They're not nifty, but if you work with them, they certainly can handle the likes of Nolan Harrison and Anthony Smith and Chester McGlockton [of the Los Angeles Raiders].''
Levra, who stands 5-7, can't look Farkas in the eye, but he nevertheless likes what he's seen.
``Real good movement for a gentleman his size,'' Levra said. ``I see a guy that's maybe got a chance to be a good player for us.
``If I'm looking at them in the eye, they're too little to play. I'm glad they're all big.''
Denver's first mandatory cut comes Aug. 23, when the roster must be trimmed from 80 to 60 players.
``I plan to be around,'' Farkas said. ``I've got a big dream, and that's to play in this league.''
by CNB