The Chargers and the Rams are getting ready for their season openers on September 13. The Rams will host the Cowboys in their $5 Billion SoFi Stadium and the Chargers will travel to Cincinnati for their first game against the Bengals.

Both teams have some holes to fill and one of the biggest holes for both teams is at the running back position. The Rams are trying to replace Todd Gurley II with three running backs and the Chargers are trying fill the shoes of Melvin Gordon with three running backs.

At this particular time in the training camps the Chargers appear to be ahead of the curve running the ball with starter Austin Ekeler and backups Justin Jackson and former UCLA star Joshua Kelly. All three backs bring a different skill set to the position and the Chargers hope these players can take some pressure off of the quarterback.

The Rams are counting on fifth year Ram veteran Malcolm Brown as the starting running back and second year player Darrell Henderson Jr. and rookie Cam Akers as the backups. Just like the Chargers all three players have different skill sets.

On the defensive side of the ball both teams look solid. The Chargers signed some new players in the off season led by 6-4, 329 pound tackle Linval Joseph. "We want to make some magic this year," said Joseph at the Chargers training camp in Costa Mesa last week. "We have a good group of guys, everybody wants to work hard and everybody has the same goals."

When you talk about the Rams defense, it all starts with lineman Aaron Donald. The seven year veteran looks better than ever. "He is the best in the world at what he does and he is continuing to get better," said Rams head coach Sean McVay after a scrimmage at SoFi Stadium a few weeks ago. "What you love about him he has that right mind set and mentality."

The WNBA Sparks are another Los Angeles professional team with championship aspirations. They are currently 13-4 and in second place in the 12 team WNBA. They are only a game behind first place Seattle. Thirteen year veteran Candace Parker is having one of her best seasons. She is averaging 13.1 points per game, 9.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists. She was named the WNBA Player of the Week last week a few weeks ago.

"We have a purpose every time we come down on defensive end," said Parker this week. "I realize the best players have to step up. This year they know they can count on me."

The first place Dodgers currently have the best record in Major League Baseball at 27-10. Their offensive starting lineup is the best in baseball with players like Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, A.J. Pollock, Max Muncy, Corey Seager, Justin Turner and Chris Taylor.

George Lasse

Candance Parker of the Sparks makes a move on Atlanta Dream player and former UCLA star Monique Billings during a recent game in Florida

On the pitching mound they have Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw and young right hand pitcher, Dustin May.