Like everyone else, John Lynch’s former Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates weren’t really expecting to hear that he was going to be a general manager. 

But they think he has all the skills that he needs to  at his new profession.

Lynch has been hired by the San Francisco 49ers to bring their struggling franchise back to glory.

Spectrum Sports caught up with some of Lynch's former teammates on Monday.

"I never knew that he wanted to do that," former Bucs All-Pro fullback Mike Alstott said.  "But John’s successful.  He’s smart, and he knows the game.  So he’ll put the right people around him to make that organization back to what it was at one time.

Lynch, who's known for his ability to build relationships and great attention to detail, made the most out of his skill set as a player. 

And he could have an eye for finding diamonds in the rough from the pool of NFL prospects.

"It takes a special guy to be able to communicate it and understand what it takes," former Bucs tight end and current Bucs radio analyst Dave Moore said.  "Measuring the intangibles of players coming out of college is something I feel sometimes is missed."

The nine-time Pro Bowler earned his reputation as a big-hitter. 

And that toughness translates off the field, too.

"His passion for winning is so great," longtime Buccaneers beat writer Roy Cummings said.  "He will hold other people accountable in a way that other executives in this league maybe don’t.  He will be a voice."

The biggest knock on Lynch in his new role:  his lack of experience as an executive.

But Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Ira Kaufman, another longtime Bucs beat writer, feels that Lynch’s time in the broadcast booth could translate over into management.

"Since he's been with Fox in 2008, what does he do every week?  He goes and talks with the NFL people," Kaufman said.  "He knows what's going on in this league.  And what I like about him the most: he's gotten better every year at his job.

Alstott, who shares a spot on the Buccaneers Ring of Honor with Lynch, says he expects greatness from his former teammate.

"He never cuts corners.  When he gets into something, he’s going to make sure it succeeds."

If he can succeed, Lynch, who also has a spot in the Denver Broncos' Ring of Honor, could find a place of honor with a third different team in San Francisco.