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The Football Diner Big Interview:
Nat Coombs
interviewed by Brian Davis
10/8/2008
Channel 5 presenter Nat Coombs stops by the Diner and chats to Brian Davis about C5’s NFL coverage, his beloved Dolphins, predictions for the season and just what it’s like working alongside Mike Carlson…
 So then Nat, here we are, exhibition games are over, and the season is now just hours away. How much are you looking forward to this new season?
Very much so. Im probably looking forward to this season more than any other. Offensively the game is more interesting than in recent years, certainly with the development of the Wild Cat and the fact that 10, possibly even up to 12 teams could win the Super Bowl. It’s the most wide open its been for years.
I’ve always been a fan since I was a kid and this will be my third year presenting – I’m now at the next level of understanding and the more I comprehend, the more enjoyable I find the game. But I’m learning more all the time.
To show SNF on FIVE, you must be happy that free-to-air viewers are still getting a chance to see live football?
Its fantastic news. Were also doing a Saturday Morning Magazine show called NFLUK which will be presented by Trevor Nelson and Natalie Pinkham. Im the reporter on the show , doing features, interviews and a topical weekly news round-up. The show will also be providing access to players and extra footage not normally seen on UK TV.
The show will on one level encourage people to get into the game without it being too simplistic and patronising to the current fan-base, so weve had to find the right balance of not being too nerdy, but not too obvious and banal at the same time.
Well also be looking to tackle some of the misperceptions about the game that seem to be a stumbling block for a lot of Brits like: it’s not exciting, it lasts six hours, the players are not athletic or not hard because they play in pads.
Were really excited about the time slot and think that FIVE has done a fantastic job in putting it where they have. It represents the intentions of the NFL in the UK and the guys at NFLUK have worked really hard to get free-to-air viewers coverage. Things are on the up and Im thrilled to be part of it.
Is there any further news about you showing MNF as well yet?
I have no idea right now, Im mainly based on the production side of things, I just get told what days to turn up! The guys on NFLUK have been really conscientious with releasing all of the information as and when they can though.
Talking of the coverage, whats it like working alongside the great Mike Carlson?
All in all, its terrific. Id previously done a fair amount of TV work but never live presenting which is a steep learning curve, and can’t really be taught, so as I openly admit, for the first half of the first season, I was pants!
Also, as Mike worked so well with Colin, it was important to me that we created our own thing and admittedly, it does take time to find that right balance, which I think we’ve got. Were very conscious of balancing the interesting talk and relaxed banter. Its very distinctive and very important and theres a fine line between discussing who Id prefer to marry out of Betty Rubble and Wilma Flintstone and keeping it on track with the game in progress, although that was a career highlight to date! We aim to be inclusive so give something for the newbie without losing the veteran viewers.
I’ve learnt a bunch from Mike though. His technique is terrific which makes my job much easier and he is the consummate professional. Karaoke in New Orleans notwithstanding.
You support the Miami Dolphins. After last seasons huge turnaround being rewarded with the toughest schedule, how do you see the Phins season panning out?
After being possibly one of the worst teams in history to last season surprised everyone, including Bill Parcells, the players and the fans.
The Patriots though were dealt a blow with Brady going down and Cassel playing, and its a freak situation to win 11 games and not qualify for the playoffs. The Jets had Favres capitulation so it was a very odd season, but terrific to see it happen.
It was also good to see teams adopting, almost copying the Wild Cat formation from the Dolphins. It was great to see a team like the Patriots and a coach like Belichick totally bamboozled by it. This year will be more difficult in the division. I have question marks on the Patriots O-line and defense and the Jets, I really dont know if they will be good or bad. I like Rex Ryan as a coach, I like the way hes confrontational, much like how Lane Kiffin has been in college! Its a bold move for them to play Sanchez and a lot of people are making a big thing of it, but he has a good line in front of him and after all he played at a big-time programme at USC. Even if it was only 16 starts that he had, its still USC.
Its a tough, tough division, Id possibly put the AFC East in the top four, possibly even the top three hardest divisions in the NFL right now which never helps things. I think we might just miss out on the playoffs, but I have to say Im a HUGE fan of Chad Pennington, hes such an accurate, precision throwing quarterback, I think he might even be the most accurate in NFL history. Its great for a young quarterback to watch and I believe that we are grooming Henne to take over from him, so I have very high hopes there.
Any plans to get stateside to see a game in 2009? Will FIVE be paying for an annual trip?
 Ha-ha, were not sure yet, were hopeful of going again, but theres nothing concrete as yet. Its a great experience getting up close, not just the game, but the training as well, you see players on TV and its not until you get up close you realise how big they are, well, certainly much bigger than me anyway, Im about the same build as Darren Sproles (likewise myself – BD). You also notice the athleticism of all the players and you can really appreciate it. It really does magnify it by 100 times when youre up close.
What are your thoughts on Michael Vick in Philadelphia?
Its a very complex issue with a lot of things to factor in. Should a guy whos paid his debt to society have the chance to earn a living?
Other players have done far worse and there has been far less public outcry about them. As for the fans in Philadelphia, they have to win the big one, the fans are notorious and the pressure has been heaped on Donovan McNabb. McNabb was right when he said they have to take care of the basic offense to start with.
Vick has been away for over two years, it will take a while to dust off the rustiness and you can only do that by getting games under his belt.
This season will not be without its twists and turns in Philly and I really sympathise for McNabb even if theres no intention of putting Vick in at quarterback. Things will get really eventful if theyre at 7-4 or even 7-5, it will be really dicey.
And the Brandon Marshall situation?
McDaniels has had a tough start to his career in Denver, but he is a Belichick disciple so hes a smart cookie and he knows what hes doing. Belichick wouldnt put a young guy who knows nothing in charge of his offense. He got dealt a tough hand with Cutler, as its common practice to shop around and see what value is there, Im not sure if Cutler got bad advice or there was just a personality issue, but I dont believe it was necessarily a mistake from Cutler.
In terms of Marshall, its amazing that players believe thats the right way to behave when they want a new deal, or want out of where they are. Hes behaving like a complete diva. Would any current coach really want that problem on their roster? Itd take a coach that can handle him, or a second rate team like T.O. in Buffalo. Marshall is stupid, hes a great receiver but it really is a shame. People are also too hard on McDaniels.
And the return of everybodys favourite attention seeker, Brett Favre?
I think its great! Everyone has had a pop at him, but thats more of a statement about the 24 hour news coverage, sometimes they just have nothing else to talk about, so the media coverage is definitely to blame for the situation.
I defy anybody though to admit that they are not going to be interested in that first Vikings-Packers game, its going to be mega!
Itd be nice to see the fairytale ending for him though, beating the Packers and going out on a high with a Super Bowl win. Ill certainly be willing them on as a second team. Crucially in the past, teams have stacked 8 in the box to try and deal with Peterson because theyve known that the quarterback situation has been poor, Im not so sure on their current receiving options, but theyll game-plan for them and Favre accordingly. Shiancoe is a good tight end and hell be sure to feature. Harvin could stand out as a Wes Welker type option out of the slot too. Theyll definitely be there or there-abouts this season.
Whos your sleeper pick for the ’09 season and why?
Can I say Green Bay? Well they were 6-10 last year so I guess I can, despite the previous years record. Green Bay is interesting; Dom Capers taking charge of a new defense, Aaron Rodgers is the real deal at quarterback.
I have slight concerns on the running game and questions on the O line but Seattle could well have a good chance of being in the mix especially with Hasselbeck throwing to Houshmandzadeh.
Thats one of the great things about the NFL, every year you get a team that catches you by surprise like a 2008 Falcons or a 2007 Browns. Seattle is a genuine sleeper pick.
Id like to say the Bengals as well as I really like Carson Palmer but theyre totally dysfunctional!
And who are your picks to play in the big game in ’09?
Oh, thats a tough question. Its going to have to be Patriots from the AFC and. (After a long, long period of thought!) the Giants. Whatever I say here thats wrong, Carlson will dine out on for a whole year!
Well, Ill say Pittsburgh v Philadelphia and well see whos closest come February.
Do you follow the College game at all? If so, who is your team and are you looking forward to the season starting this week?
A little, I have ESPN and watched some of the games over the weekend, but time constraints deem what I can and cant watch. Come draft time though, Im aware of who is going to be in the mix.
Im an Auburn fan and pretty much catch whatever games I can.
How do you keep yourself busy during the off-season?
Im a new Dad to a little boy who was born just after our trip to New Orleans. Hes just started to crawl, so I’m teaching him the post pattern and we’ll progress to some gap blocking in a bit.
Ive come into TV from a stand-up background and since I’ve got into broadcasting I’ve been fortunate to work regularly – which is great, and lucky – but it’s meant I’ve moved away from stand up a little. I love it but to be on that circuit you need to work for 300 nights a year. I will re-visit at some point though.
I also have other TV and radio projects and tend to do quite a lot with Radio Five Live. I do a lot of writing and own a creative agency which produces an online teen comedy called Chelsey OMG which featured on Bebo. The first series had over three million hits and we’re in production for series two now. I balance my time between all this but I’m veering towards the sports entertainment. In the past Ive been offered some quite lucrative projects, but they weren’t what I wanted to do, and I really don’t want to do stuff just for the money, or just to be on TV. Aside from anything else, with two NFL shows, Ill certainly have my hands full over the next six months!
You can follow Nat at www.natcoombs.com and www.twitter.com/natcoombs
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