LOS ANGELES_The Los Angeles Chargers will get their first look at their new temporary home Saturday when they host the Los Angeles Rams in a combined practice in the 27,000-seat StubHub Center, which is less than half the size of all but one current NFL stadium.
"To be honest, it kind of reminds me of high school," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. "I remember that feeling I had, and I think the guys are gonna feed off that real small, intimate crowd that is right on top of us. I think it's gonna be fun. I'm really looking forward to it."
The padded practice, scheduled from 4:30-7 p.m. in the Carson facility, is open to Chargers season-ticket holders and those on the wait list. Seating will be limited to the lower bowl.
After individual drills, the two offenses will run plays against the opposing defenses. With 90 players on each team, Lynn said there will be plenty of red-zone plays so teams can utilize both ends of the field. There will be full contact but no tackling to the ground.
"We'll go 'thud' but we won't take anybody down," Lynn said after a light practice at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex on Friday. "It's not a scrimmage, but it's going to be nice to practice against someone else, because right about now, guys are getting tired of seeing each other."
The Chargers, who moved from San Diego in January, will open the preseason against the Seattle Seahawks in StubHub Center on Aug. 13, and they'll play the Rams in an Aug. 26 exhibition game in the Coliseum.
The Rams, who returned from St. Louis last season, and Chargers won't play in the regular season this year, but they will compete for the hearts and minds of Southern California football fans, as the Chargers' marketing slogan _ "Fight for L.A." _ suggests.
Chargers running back Melvin Gordon said he doesn't feel any rivalry with the Rams right now, "but there's no doubt in my mind it's gonna build up during the season," he said Friday. "It's the competitive nature of things. You want to be the best team."
Gordon is looking forward to sharing a field with Rams running back Todd Gurley. The two were the first running backs selected in the 2015 draft, Gurley going 10th overall to the Rams and Gordon 15th to the Chargers.
Gurley had the better rookie year, rushing 229 times for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2015, but he regressed in 2016, rushing 278 times for 885 yards and six touchdowns.
After rushing 184 times for 641 yards and no touchdowns in 2015, Gordon had a breakout year in 2016, rushing 254 times for 997 yards and 10 touchdowns.
"That's my boy," Gordon said of Gurley. "My first year, I didn't do so well and kind of watched him. Then my second year, I did a little better than he did. We're both fighting to be the best."
