John Lynch: Football not about secrets, ‘it should flatter Pete Carroll'

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During his time as a broadcaster, John Lynch spent a decent amount of time with Pete Carroll during TV production meetings.

And on Wednesday, the Seahawks' head coach said some interesting things about the 49ers' general manager:

“I’m kind of disappointed he went on to be a GM in our division because I like John a lot,” Carroll told reporters. "He asked a lot of questions – more than most guys do. We went into a lot of depth.

"So he does know how we think. Whether that’s becoming part of what they (the 49ers) do, I don’t know.”

On Friday morning, Lynch was asked about Carroll's comments.

"He joked with me both at the combine and at the owners meetings. Pete and I have a very good relationship," Lynch said on KNBR 680. "But I could tell there was some truth (laughter). I spent some time trying to convince him that I promise this thing hasn't been brewing for years.

"I didn't know that I was gonna end up the general manager of the 49ers, let alone be a general manager at all.

"To be honest -- what I was doing -- my parents taught me anything you do you want to be the best at it. And when I was a broadcaster, that's a way you could let fans in. 

"I just have a natural curiosity for the game of football. It should flatter Pete Carroll because he's a guy that I was fascinated with -- the way he runs an organization. And so it was more those type of philosophical things."

So what did Lynch glean from Carroll?

"One thing that I probably learned from him is just that these season's are grinds," Lynch answered. "They really are. I knew that from playing in this league. They are long and tough and hard seasons, both physicall and mentally. And I think Pete has a tremendous positivity to him ... it's why I was fascinated with him.

"It's really in line with what I believe in life -- you be relentlessly positive but also have high expectations. And I've seen him in tough situations -- they've got some players with personalities up there and I've seen him handle those, and handle them in a way that I really respect. He lets people's personalities shine, but he also keeps the team together...

"You're in there, you're curious, you ask questions and he shared. But ultimately, this game is not about secrets. It's about who's gonna go execute, who's gonna go make plays when the game's on the line."

The 49ers play the Seahawks in Seattle this Sunday.

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