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Largo football learn tactics from Patriots?
The Packers are caught taping a game without permission, an FHSAA violation.
By BRANDON WRIGHT, Times Staff Writer
Published September 21, 2007
It's a good thing Roger Goodell hasn't caught wind of this.
The heavy-handed NFL commissioner likely would be none too pleased at recent developments surrounding Largo High's football program. On the heels of the NFL slapping the New England Patriots with hefty fines and docking the team future draft picks, Largo finds itself thigh-pad deep in its own videotaping scandal.
Pardon the pun, but let's rewind to Sept. 14. During St. Petersburg's game at Countryside, Green Devils coach Joe Fabrizio looked into the visitors stands and noticed Largo players and coaches. Uh, they were the small circle of guys dressed in blue and white in a tiny crowd sporting mostly green.
Largo had the week off, so it didn't immediately raise any flags considering the Packers and Green Devils opened the district schedule against each other the next week. Nothing going on here, just old-fashioned hard work and scouting.
Except for the video camera.
Fabrizio alerted school officials, who alerted Countryside officials, who confronted the person shooting the film - a violation of FHSAA rules.
The FHSAA football manual states that visiting teams can only "photograph, film or videotape a contestant's performance ... when permission is secured from and arrangements are made with the host school principal." Same goes for a representative of a school not participating in a contest.
According to a formal complaint that Countryside filed with the FHSAA on Thursday, the man admitted to shooting video of St. Petersburg and turned the tape over to Countryside's officials but denied any association with Largo's football program.
Here's where the fun really starts.
The letter from Countryside to the FHSAA states: "When we asked him his name the first time he said his name was Jose Smith, only to find out after requesting identification that his name was Jose Rodriguez."
Jose Smith? That was the best he could come up with? And as for identification, how about I Left My Wallet in El Segundo? Check Jose Smith off the phone-a-friend list in a pinch.
The not-so-quick-on-the-feet response was just the first in a string of fibs. Largo assistant principal Greg Zornes confirmed Tuesday that Jose was in fact Largo coach Rick Rodriguez's brother. As for his association with the program, turns out he regularly films Largo home football games. When contacted Wednesday, Rick Rodriguez said he "knew nothing" about the incident. Except he was sitting with his brother when it happened, which he confirmed Thursday.
As for the tape, it's in Fabrizio's possession. Because of the investigation, Fabrizio didn't want to get into details of the video other than to say it was "mostly game film but had some clear shots of our sidelines."
And that game between St. Petersburg and Largo on Thursday night? The host Packers won 28-0 to improve to 3-0.
[Last modified September 21, 2007, 00:51:02]
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Comments on this article
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by lp
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11/08/07 12:42 PM
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it is against the rules to video tape a game,but it doesnt mean its cheating. teams exchange film every game they play. Jose's son plays for largo and it just a sophmore starting o line. all he was trying to do is help is son out by taping the d-line
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by Desmon
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09/25/07 10:15 PM
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Coach Fabrizio needs to "get over it." Largo is a better team... Go Packers....
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by me
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09/24/07 02:28 PM
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There is more to this story then what is being printed. St Pete's coach was not going to trade tapes with Largo. So Largo taped the game, and St. Pete gave his permission to do it.
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by Donna
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09/23/07 01:14 AM
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Before you start saying anything about the taping - watch the video first - Coach Fab - quit whining because your team isnt as good as Largo!!!
GO PACKERS!
Why did Coach Fab talk to the press - That is also a rule.
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by fu
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09/21/07 11:51 PM
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GO LARGO GO WE KNOW YOU DONT NEED TAPES TO WIN BLOWN OUT OF PERPORTION
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by Eric
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09/21/07 06:14 PM
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I don't understand the reasons for complaining about scouting other teams. Its been done in football forever and will continue indefinitely in the future. If your team is not good enough at masking its signals then you deserve to lose.
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by Tony
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09/21/07 05:54 PM
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Fabrizio needs to stop crying about it. He should have been a better person by talking to the Largo Coach or the AD to resolve this. Instead he decides to make Largo look bad - well guess what - Largo is used to having a bad reputation - Get a Grip
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by ann
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09/21/07 04:53 PM
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this is rediculas welcome spete is 0-4 now so i guess all the other teams are video tapeing too huh why dont you rematch replay the game at the end get new plays your still going to lose you couldnt coach blind people tofind there way around a room
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by John
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09/21/07 04:52 PM
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Fabrizio was wrong for the way he handled it. He should have been a better person by talking to the largo coach himself instead of getting the press involved. The press always throws it out of proportion and not getting the whole story.
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by john
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09/21/07 04:50 PM
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Amanda - all schools do it = you just didnt know it was happening =
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by Robert C.
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09/21/07 02:21 PM
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When SPH's Fabrizio goes to a local Sports Function attended by other High School Coaches, how do you think he will be greeted? Like a wuss. He should stick to teaching K-1 their ABC's, and thats it.
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by Amanda
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09/21/07 01:58 PM
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When I went to LHS we didnt have to cheat. Its amazing how things change.
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by Whatever
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09/21/07 01:53 PM
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SPH: 0-4. That says it all. Largo beat SPH without their #! QB, they used JV!!!! Stop complaining, when SPH coaching staff, from TOP to BOTTOM is obviously inferior.
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by Fed up
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09/21/07 01:34 PM
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Sports even HS are big money. A lot of people do cheat to win.
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by Unknown
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09/21/07 01:02 PM
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I don't think the students or team should be punished, but the Coach deservse punishment! Suspend him from the field, that's what would have happened if a student did something wrong!
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by Bonnie
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09/21/07 12:49 PM
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Why do all the Largo people say that this is ok? Or it is an error? Is that the message you want your children to learn? The COACH was in on it and they LIED. Get a clue. There is a reason they are good--they cheat.
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by 1 Who Knows
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09/21/07 12:25 PM
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HiSchools use their fBall progam to attract students. If Colleges give scholarships to that programs athletes, it is a big plus to that HiSchool. Plus, Coaches egos want to be known as "creating" the next Brady, Primetime, etc. It is ALL about ego/$$
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by John
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09/21/07 12:15 PM
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Other teams have also been taping practices at the Tarpon High practice field. The bottom line is, the team with the most skill is going to prevail, despite the other team trying to get the plays down prior to the game.
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by Dee
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09/21/07 12:15 PM
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I agree - this whole thing is completely overblown - besides the QB for Largo was the JV QB - that doesnt say much for St Pete or that coaching staff.
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by Marie
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09/21/07 12:11 PM
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I was at the game - the brother had just got there when all of this happened
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by Johnnie V.
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09/21/07 12:09 PM
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The Boca Ciega Pirates are going to be looking forward to beating the wuss coaches at St Pete Hi. Coach Fabrizio has now made himself the black sheep coach of the county. Instead of bringing out the best in his players 2win, he is now an excuse maker
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by James
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09/21/07 11:50 AM
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When I played football, it was common practice for teams to tape their own games and exchange them with other teams who shared common opponents. This really seems no different. They should have asked permission first, but this might be overblown...
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by Doug
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09/21/07 11:47 AM
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OOOOOPS!.......Make that 0-4 for SPH.
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by Doug
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09/21/07 11:33 AM
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At 0-3, Fabrizio is a Cry-Baby. It would serve SPH better if they asked the opposing coaches for help in breaking down their play book.
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by James
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09/21/07 11:11 AM
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How do they get to use the New England Patriots logo? Anyone?
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by Lew
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09/21/07 11:00 AM
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I would not expect anything less from Largo!!!
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by James
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09/21/07 10:54 AM
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Here is the bold truth,.. the players are most likely not the culprits here, its the coaches, I'd bet that not one player had any knowledge, however this is a COACH and his BROTHER. Apparntly they are cheaters..not knowing the rules isn't an excuse.
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by Kim
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09/21/07 10:50 AM
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Not proven what's not proven seems like these guys were lying from the get go. They are making themselves look guilty!
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by What ????
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09/21/07 10:39 AM
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How can a County Employee, Coach, Role Model and Mentor cheat and NOT effect his team ? Good grief folks - he was sittin right next to his brother, the guy filming. Not an unfortunate error. Don't be so stupid people ! Everyone knows u cant tape.
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by Dean
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09/21/07 10:36 AM
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if they're so great, why doesn't the coahing staff trust their hard work enough not to try to cheat--not a clueless parent by the way--the coach's brother with the coach sitting next to him.
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by Bland
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09/21/07 10:14 AM
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I think these Packer Boys might be better off in the weight room getting ready for the Green Devils then learning to be James Bond. I think more physical conditioning, like running the steps at LHS, might be more helpful. The Times new big story...
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by mandy
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09/21/07 09:58 AM
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It would make a difference whether largo taped games or not. They are extremely good, work hard which is shown by their record last year and their record so far this year. How ever this turns out, the boys should not be affected, they work to hard.
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by Joe
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09/21/07 09:48 AM
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To Jan...
What should we applaud? The fact the coach teaches his kids its ok to cheat by recording? That you don't have to ask permission? To lie?
I bet a raid would have found more tapes at their homes. they need to be suspended this yr.
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by Football Willie
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09/21/07 09:24 AM
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Too bad they didn't cath the other Largo "Smiths" taping the Cheerleaders and the Band!
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by Laura
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09/21/07 09:23 AM
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You guys should be ashamed of yourself. My son went to largo high and was also on the football team. but that was 10 years ago they didn't need to cheat then why do you feel the need to cheat now. because the BIG TEAM did it. That made them very smal
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