Could Avery/Burton some day be a worthy successor to Bruce/Holt? It’s a delicious thought for the Rams and their fans. The speedy rookie wideouts flashed considerable promise Saturday night in the 24-10 preseason victory over the Ravens:

*Donnie Avery had five catches for a team-high 65 yards; he also averaged 23.5 yards on two kickoff returns. The second-round draft pick sat out the first two preseason contests while recovering from a slight pelvic fracture.

*Keenan Burton caught three passes for 63 yards and scored on a 4-yard pass from Marc Bulger. The fourth-round draftee has five grabs for 74 yards in the preseason.

Both also displayed their inexperience at times. “I was very pleased with their work and effort,” coach Scott Linehan said. “It wasn’t perfect. They had their share of mistakes, but they also had their share of plays. I think they showed that they have . . . the ability to come out and step up and make plays. It was fun to watch them.”

And fun to think what the future might bring for the two youngsters.

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Notes & quotes:

>>The stout play of the defense, particularly the first-teamers, has LB Will Witherspoon excited. “Definitely there’s some momentum building in the unit,” he said. “Each time we go out there, every time we’re together, I think we’re getting just more and more cohesive.”

>>CB Tye Hill had a rough night, especially defending WR Derrick Mason. But Hill did make a couple of nice open-field tackles.

>>WR Marques Hagans took a big shot after a 7-yard reception but popped right back up.

>>The Rams’ leading tacklers in the preseason are veteran S Todd Johnson (16) and rookie LB Chris Chamberlain (15).

>>DE Leonard Little is first in sacks (2). “I think you’re seeing a little of the old 91, before his (toe) injury,” Linehan said. “He has that look in his eye.”

>>Linehan said he left QB Marc Bulger in for the last series of the first half, instead of going with Trent Green, so that Bulger could run the 2-minute drill. He directed a 12-play, 91-yard march that culminated with a 1-yard TD toss to RB Travis Minor with 27 seconds left before the break.

All for now . . .