On Sunday, a handful of players from that draft class showed that it's too early to dismiss them as potential impact players.

Russell and Miller made significant contributions, just as you might expect from first- and second-round selections, respectively, in Oakland's 27-16 victory over the Houston Texans.

However, the Raiders also received stellar performances from offensive tackle Mario Henderson, wide receiver
Johnnie Lee Higgins and defensive end Jay Richardson.

Henderson, in only his fourth NFL start, neutralized Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Mario Williams. Higgins broke open a tie game with a 29-yard touchdown reception and an 80-yard punt return in the third quarter. Richardson recorded one of Oakland's three sacks and added four tackles.

Richardson (fifth round) was the lone player of the nine the Raiders selected after Russell and Miller who showed much promise in 2007.

Higgins (third round) caught only six passes, averaged a paltry 5.2 yards on punt returns and was replaced in the latter capacity because of his penchant for fumbling. Henderson (third round) spent most of his rookie season on the sideline and was criticized throughout training camp this season by then-coach Lane Kiffin for his failure to develop into a reliable backup.

Henderson said he used Kiffin's constant criticism as motivation to improve and work harder.

"It helps my confidence a lot," Henderson said of his solid performances the past two games. "That's the main thing for me. I just have to get confidence and be able to trust in myself that I can play."

Kiffin touted Oakland's 2007 draft class as one to be reckoned with.

"We couldn't imagine it going any better," Kiffin said on the second day of the draft. "There are no scenarios we could imagine that would make it better."

Well, until Sunday there were plenty of doubters. Kiffin released the first of Oakland's three third-round selections, defensive end Quentin Moses, and the second of its two fifth-rounders, safety Eric Frampton, before last season started.

Cornerback John Bowie arrived with the fourth-round pick the Raiders received from New England in exchange for Randy Moss, and he has recorded one tackle in two seasons. Running back Michael Bush (fourth round) and receiver Jonathan Holland (seventh) still are fighting for scant playing time.

Yet, Henderson, Higgins and Richardson are making strides toward nailing down starting jobs next season and beyond.

"It's huge," Raiders coach Tom Cable said of Henderson's recent play. "I'm very proud of him. That's what I was hoping for going into (Sunday's) game, if he could back it up with another good effort like that. And he did it. That's a breakthrough. I have to believe that his confidence can take off from here."

Notes: Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha sustained a stinger during Sunday's game. Cable said X-rays of Asomugha's injury returned negative. However, Asomugha underwent further testing Monday afternoon as a precautionary measure. The results won't be released until Wednesday. Cable said the initial prognosis points to the injury not being serious. "... Receiver Ronald Curry (turf toe) and linebacker Ricky Brown (groin) are doubtful for this Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Cable said.

Contact Steve Corkran at scorkran@bayareanewsgroup.com