Eric DeCosta was an understudy to Ozzie Newsome for many years. He observed, listened, studied and devoured the nuances of being a quality GM. Yet the personalities of these two men are quite different. DeCosta is an assassin and as much as it goes against the grain of his biological tendencies, he will wait patiently for the right opportunity and then strike like a cobra.
When asked what he learned most from Ozzie as The Wizard’s long-time consigliere, EDC has responded the same way time and time again – “Patience!” Sometimes attractive opportunities to acquire players are passed on because the long-term risks might outweigh the short-term gain.