Raiders AFC Rule

The 2006 season can't come soon enough for a Raiders team eager to distance itself from the disappointment of 2005. As it turns out, they are one of two teams that start the upcoming season sooner than any other.

The league confirmed today that the Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles are scheduled to kick off the season with an exhibition game in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 6 at 5 p.m.

That works out well for Raiders managing general partner Al Davis and other organization members who already planned on attending the induction ceremony of former Raiders coach John Madden into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2006 class the day before the game.

It also works out well for new coach Art Shell. He now is permitted to coach an extra game and get in an extra week of practice, whereas most teams have only four games scheduled.

The Raiders also learned that their second exhibition game is on the road against the Minnesota Vikings in what will be the first game for Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss against his former team. The game is scheduled for Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. on ESPN.

The Raiders conclude their exhibition schedule with home games against the 49ers and Detroit Lions and a road game against the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks. The dates and times of these games won't be announced until next month, at the earliest.

The Seattle game gives Oakland a sneak peek at one of their regular-season opponents and its first look at the Seahawks' new stadium. Oakland last played in Seattle in 2001, when both teams were part of the AFC West.

In other news, Lions quarterback Joey Harrington visited the Miami Dolphins as part of his coast-to-coast tour of prospective employers. He then left for a visit with the Cincinnati Bengals, with the Raiders a potential stopping point.

Shell told reporters at the NFL meetings in Orlando, Fla., on Tuesday that he intends to view videotape of Harrington's four seasons with the Lions before deciding whether it's worth trading for him.

"There has to be something there for somebody to pick him third overall," Shell said. "At the time he was coming out, a lot of people liked him. So, he's a talented guy. You've just got to figure out, can he come in and fit into what you're trying to do? ... You try to evaluate what he's done when he's been there, what he was being asked to do."

Harrington, 27, compiled an 18-37 record as a starter for the Lions from 2002-05. Lions coach Rod Marinelli has said that Jon Kitna or Josh McCown will be his starting quarterback and that Harrington no longer is part of the picture. The Lions granted Harrington permission to speak with the Raiders and a handful of other teams.

The Lions reportedly are seeking a first-day pick -- one of the first three rounds -- in next month's NFL draft. Harrington is slated to earn $4.45 million each of the next two seasons and pocket a $4.5 million roster bonus June 15. Therefore, he likely would have to agree to a renegotiated contract before a trade is consummated.

Notes: Oakland hired former Steelers and Browns defensive lineman Darryl Sims as an assistant defensive line coach. He was the defensive coordinator for the World Bowl XIII champion Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe last season. ... The contract signed by Raiders quarterback Aaron Brooks eight days ago calls for him to earn $2 million in base salary this season and only $720,000 in 2007. He received a hefty signing bonus, as well. His deal also features numerous incentives that could net him even more money.