John Lynch the new GM of the 49ers

[Butler By'Note]

Another former player named John Elway has done a terrific job as GM so it is possible. Still living in Denver, Lynch has maintained some ties to the organization and has shown up to various Broncos public events over the years and is friends with Elway -- may have gotten some strategies and tips from him, especially in recruiting the right support personnel? I'd say he has a 50/50 chance of success. I wish him the very best, an excellent former player, humanitarian and a class act. And I like to see (most) bad teams turn it around and get back in contention. Hope he and Kyle can make a difference.

There's a big difference though. Elway had experience as a GM with the AFL team. Experience running several businesses and had a father who was a former coach and scout. John Lynch has been a broadcaster since he retired.

[the0rangecrush]

"One of new 49ers GM John Lynch's targets for top personnel guy: Adam Peters, currently Broncos' director of college scouting, sources say."

It would make sense if Elway replaced him with Baalke.

[FL BRONCO]

Ozzie Newsome didn't do so bad

[L.M.]

There's a big difference though. Elway had experience as a GM with the AFL team. Experience running several businesses and had a father who was a former coach and scout. John Lynch has been a broadcaster since he retired.

Elway was a co-owner of Crush with Bowlen and Kroenke and owned car dealerships and restaurants. There's a big difference between owning and managing. I wouldn't count all that as valid experience for running an NFL team.

[Sophia23]

I wish the best to John Lynch, will miss him announcing....

[Butler By'Note]

Elway was a co-owner of Crush with Bowlen and Kroenke and owned car dealerships and restaurants. There's a big difference between owning and managing. I wouldn't count all that as valid experience for running an NFL team.

He was the GM of the Crush, he made the decisions and had to fire his friend as HC. That's different than what Lynch has. Now there are two things in Lynch's favour here: 1. He's surrounding himself with experienced people, that's a very good way to be successful. 2. He won't be making the final decisions, so unlike Millen he'll have a less (slightly) hands on role.

I'm not sure it's a great idea giving a first time HC full roster control, but for Lynch this isn't a bad thing, if Shanahan is successful then it's good for both. If Shanahan isn't successful, Lynch will likely be spared and at that point will be given roster control.

[Butler By'Note]

Ozzie Newsome didn't do so bad

Newssome was an executive with the Browns from 91-95 and then with the Ravens from 96 to 2002 before becoming GM. So he was able to learn. Credit to Lynch for surrounding himself with people with a lot of experience, that's a good first step to making himself successful.

[L.M.]

He was the GM of the Crush, he made the decisions and had to fire his friend as HC. That's different than what Lynch has. Now there are two things in Lynch's favour here: 1. He's surrounding himself with experienced people, that's a very good way to be successful. 2. He won't be making the final decisions, so unlike Millen he'll have a less (slightly) hands on role.

I'm not sure it's a great idea giving a first time HC full roster control, but for Lynch this isn't a bad thing, if Shanahan is successful then it's good for both. If Shanahan isn't successful, Lynch will likely be spared and at that point will be given roster control.

That's basically what Elway did and it's a significant factor for his success as Broncos GM, aside from his personal intanglibles of leadership, very high standards, winning mentality, drive and ambition. Lynch has those same intangibles and will push hard for success, and if there is good communication and cooperation between him and Shanahan, I think they will do well there together.

I think that these factors count more than any so-called "experience". Same applies to head coaching.

Elway's official position with the Crush btw was CEO (as Joe Ellis is for the Broncos) which gave him authority to fire his first coach, and sure he was involved with the team operations (it was essentially "his team"), but that's a different job than NFL GM.

[gtown53]

He was the GM of the Crush, he made the decisions and had to fire his friend as HC. That's different than what Lynch has. Now there are two things in Lynch's favour here: 1. He's surrounding himself with experienced people, that's a very good way to be successful. 2. He won't be making the final decisions, so unlike Millen he'll have a less (slightly) hands on role.

I'm not sure it's a great idea giving a first time HC full roster control, but for Lynch this isn't a bad thing, if Shanahan is successful then it's good for both. If Shanahan isn't successful, Lynch will likely be spared and at that point will be given roster control.

I totally agree with this. When Elway came in, he stated that he needed to consult with the knowledgeable "football people" in the organization before making decisions. And that's exactly what he did.

The only hint I've ever had that John Lynch knows squat about player personnel was when Elway sent Lynch to the Combine to check out the DBs in 2013.

http://www.denverpost.com/2013/02/24/john-lynch-helping-broncos-evaluate-defensive-backs-at-nfl-combine/

I assume, but don't know for sure, that John Lynch was the reason we Drafted Kayvon Webster. And Webster has been ............. OK.

As others have indicated, Kyle Shanahan has the keys to that car, and Lynch will be in a position to learn. If Shanahan falls on his face, and going by how quickly the 49ers owner fires his coaches, Lynch could be back in control of Player Personnel in a year.