Expectations are sky-high, as the two L.A. teams not only share hopes and Super Bowl aspirations, but beginning next season these teams will share a brand new stadium, when the luxurious and massive 70,000 seat LA Stadium in Inglewood makes its debut in 2020.
We Don’t Always Leave Downtown… But when we do…
DTLA Weekly has traveled far and wide to attend the kickoff of both the Los Angeles Chargers (Costa Mesa), and defending NFC Champion Los Angeles Rams (Irvine), Training Camps.
On Thursday, August 1st, the Rams and the Chargers held a scrimmage at the gorgeous Jack Hammet Sports Complex in Costa Mesa. The joint practice/scrimmage was a competitive, albeit friendly workout which provided jaw-dropping moments for the eager fans.
The Los Angeles Chargers main storyline during training camp has been the holdout of All-Pro Running Back Melvin Gordon. The 5th year RB is absent from training camp, demanding a new contract or a trade.
The Chargers still have tremendous talent on both sides of the ball. Eight time Pro Bowl Quarterback Phillip Rivers leads the Bolts alongside Wide Receiver’s Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. In addition, the Bolts welcome back Tight End Hunter Henry, who missed the majority of last year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The defense is anchored by the end tandem of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. The Chargers added veteran Linebacker Thomas Davis Sr. in the off-season to strengthen an already mean, nasty defense.
The Los Angeles Chargers training camp runs from Thursday, July 25 to Friday, August 16 , taking place at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA. Bolt fans will have the opportunity to watch the Chargers practice in person, and participate in a variety of exciting activities for the entire family.
The two teams squared off for a scrimmage on Thursday, August 1st and highlights included two exceptional receptions by Keenan Allen, and a one handed touchdown grab by Henry in the red zone.
Although Gordon’s future remains up in the air, the Chargers have the one two punch of Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson in the backfield ready to make the most of this golden opportunity.
“To me, it’s no different than what it was last year,” explained Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn. “We wanted to win the Super Bowl last year. That’s our expectation every single year.
“The pressure, we apply that pressure to ourselves. No one has higher expectations than we have for ourselves and our organization and our players and coaches.”
Will the Los Angeles Rams have a case of Super Bowl hangover?
One word answer: NO!
All Rams fan remains on pins and needles over the health of superstar Running Back Todd Gurley. Gurley’s knee injury severely hampered his performance during the NFC Championship game, as well as the Super Bowl LIII, 13-3 loss to the New England Patriots.
Gurley seemed determined to prove his knee won’t affect him this season. He was explosive, squirting free from the Chargers defensive line or turning up field on a screen pass displaying his breakaway speed.
“Oh, yeah it was fun, man. You know, you kind of hate these practices when the schedule comes out, but once you get to them it’s fairly easy going, good work against another team,” said Gurley.
Another Ram returning from injury is Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp. After suffering a torn ACL in week 10 last year, he participated in drills but was held out of the scrimmage as a precautionary measure.
Ram highlights included a TD strike from Quarterback Jared Goff to WR Brandin Cooks in the back of the end zone. Goff also threw a touchdown pass to Tight End Tyler Higbee. Newly acquired backup QB Blake Bortles was very effective in limited action.
Other new faces fans will grow to love include LB Clay Matthews, and Safety Eric Weddle who spent his first nine years as a Charger. The Rams wisely drafted RB Darrell Henderson to back up Gurley .The Rams defense lost four starters from 2018 including DT Ndamukong Suh and Safety Lamarcus Joiner.
