Vic Fangio on Sydney Brown's potential and the 'next best combination"

There is a reason why players play, coaches coach, and writers write. This is the NFL, and everyone has their part to play. Five days after the worst collapse by the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Dallas Cowboys in the rivalry's history, the Birds have to gear up again. They have to host an up-and-coming team on a day that they have never played on.

One day after a Thanksgiving triple-header, the Eagles host their first-ever Back Friday Game. That might actually be fun. They're wearing black. They encourage the fans who join them at Lincoln Financial Field to do the same.

But here's where we revisit the first statement. There are reasons why players and coaches have their roles. There are reasons why the fans and media have theirs.

Teams must compartmentalize. They have to wipe the slate clean more quickly than the rest of us. Yes, it's a week-to-week league, but don't you dare lie to us and say you're over that collapse vs the Cowboys in Arlington.

Coaches don't think about that. They're already off to bigger and better things. Good for them. Besides, this team has a lot to think about, especially regarding its defense. Vic Fangio must play musical chairs with his unit as a game vs. the Bears draws closer.

Vic Fangio discusses his Eagles secondary in great detail.

Eleven games are now in the rearview mirror. Six remain and voila. We're talking about playoffs. The defensive coordinator's unit looks much different from what it did a couple of months ago.

Nakobe Dean is back and looking like a priority offseason signing. Philadelphia saw Brandon Graham return from retirement. Nolan Smith has returned from injury. Jaelan Phillips was added at the NFL trade deadline.

Unfortunately, however, the secondary is banged up. Andrew Mukuba fractured his ankle and could be lost for the remainder of the season. Adoree' Jackson has sustained a concussion. Reed Blankenship left the most recent game with a leg injury and didn't return.

Don't panic (or stop panicking if you have already started), Fangio talked about his secondary in great detail during his interview with Philly media. Blankenship is expected to play on Friday. Jackson will return at some point. Sydney Brown is back in the spotlight, and the defensive coordinator wasn't stingy with his praise about the third-year star.

"I think he’s been doing a good job in practice with the reps that he does get. He’s done a good job staying in tune in the meetings and the walkthroughs, and I’m excited to see how he does."

When asked if Brown would be the next man up with Mukuba missing time, Coach Fangio didn't say anything. He just nodded. When asked about lining up Cooper DeJean and Michael Carter on the inside after Jackson's injury, he said, "That’s what we thought was the next best combination."

As Fangio states, DeJean was beaten on the outside a couple of times, saying he was "tight" and "It's going to happen", but as the wise old man states, it appears the combination of Mitchell, DeJean, and Carter gives Philadelphia the best shot at winning. Coach Fangio offered the following details about Carter.

"I think he’s a good player, good natural football player. [He] understands the game. He’s got good instincts, got good technique to his game. He’s quick. We’re pleased to have him."

For a late add, that instills confidence. We'll see how this unit does vs. D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze. Chicago's steadily improving offense is a worthy test for the Eagles on Black Friday.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Vic Fangio on Sydney Brown's potential and the 'next best combination"