FOXBORO -- Mike Vrabel made it clear at his introductory press conference soon after taking the head-coaching gig in New England that his goals were to "win the AFC East, to host home playoff games, and to compete for championships."

His Patriots currently sit in a pretty good position to do a couple of those things, at least. At 7-2, they are perched atop the AFC East and tied for the best record in the conference.

Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE

Was it difficult for him, then, not to push for a more aggressive trade-deadline approach to capitalize on their outstanding -- and, for many, unanticipated -- first half of the season?

"I never really looked at it that way," Vrabel said. "We're trying to build a program. ... I think part of build

See Full Page