It had to be a thrill for first-year head coach Jim Zorn to see his first slate of NFL games.

Of course, it also had to be a realization that a tough road lies ahead.

"I look forward to the 2008 season," Zorn said in a press release issued by the team. "We have a tremendous challenge before us with our upcoming schedule."

Zorn noted that the Redskins play three of their first five games against NFC East rivals, including the NFL regular season opener against the New York Giants on Thursday, Sept. 4 at Giants Stadium.

"We open with the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants and three of our first five games ae against division rivals, which will be a tough task in the best division in football," Zorn said.

The three early season divisional contests are also all road games.

The Redskins' home opener is Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints at FedExField. Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET.

"I know the fans will be thrilled for our first home game at FedExField against the New Orleans Saints," Zorn said. "I am very excited to hear our fans and the atmosphere in support of the team."

One other highlight of the schedule for Zorn: in Week 12, the Redskins travel west to Seattle to take on the Seahawks, Zorn's former team.

Zorn was a star quarterback for the Seahawks from 1976-84 and served as quarterbacks coach for the team from 2001-07 before joining the Redskins this offseason.

"The league gave me an extra bonus in returning to Seattle to coach against my former team and coach Mike Holmgren in late November," Zorn said.