The coach is a rookie.

The starting quarterback is unproven.

The first five games are rugged. Three of the final four games are on the road.

Other than that, what do you think of the upcoming season, coach Zorn?

Nervous about your first job as a coach?

"I'm not a nervous sort of guy," said the Washington Redskins' Jim Zorn.

That's good, because the Redskins, a playoff team last season, have a few things that might rattle the nerves of many coaches.

They open the season in New York, against the defending Super Bowl champion Giants, on Sept. 4, a Thursday night. The Redskins traditionally have not played well in New York, although they beat them there last season.

Todd Collins was the quarterback that night, filling in for Jason Campbell, who was out with a knee injury.

Campbell is back, and, so far, looks better than ever. He appears to be thriving in Zorn's version of the West Coast offense. Preseason games mean little, but Campbell has been sharp. He's seen the field well and has been able to get the Redskins into the end zone.

The 25th player taken overall in 2005, Campbell has the tools to be a successful in the NFL. But having the tools is not enough. Producing is the only measure of success.

"The quarterback is always under the microscope," Campbell said. "I could go fishing, and I'd be under a microscope. All I can do is prepare myself and try to do everything possible to put the team in position to win on Sundays. I'm excited about the prospects."

Even though he's in his third offense in his fourth NFL season and is playing for his seventh different offensive coordinator in the past eight years, Campbell remains unflappable and optimistic.

"I had this offense my senior year in college," Campbell said. "That really helped me out a lot. The terminology is a little bit different, but I like this offense."

Campbell has a lot to like about the players around him. His offensive line is at full strength with the return to the right side of tackle Jon Jansen and guard Randy Thomas. Jansen played in the first quarter of the first game in 2007, then an ankle injury ended his season.

Thomas was sidelined by a biceps injury in Game 2 of 2007.

The receiving corps is solid. Santana Moss is a threat to turn every pass into a big play. Antwaan Randle El is a good fit as the slot receiver in Zorn's offense. Chris Cooley, who led the Redskins in receiving last year with 66 catches, should have significantly more this season.

James Thrash and rookie second-round draft choices Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly provide depth at wideout.

Clinton Portis (1,262 yards in 2007) is relieved that Zorn's offense asks him to slam between the tackles less and turn the corner more. His backup, Ladell Betts, is capable of starting for several teams.

The defense suffered a devastating loss in the first hour of training camp when defensive end Phillip Daniels, a solid performer on the field and an exceptional leader, suffered a season-ending knee injury.

The defense improved, at least in its pass rush, when Jason Taylor was acquired from Miami, eight hours later to replace Daniels.

Taylor, with 117 career sacks, and Andre Carter, coming off a 10½ -sack performance in 2007, should make life difficult for quarterbacks.

"If Jason and I can get a good edge rush, the quarterback will have to step up in the pocket, and our tackles will make the plays," Carter said.

That will help because injuries have left question marks at linebacker, cornerback and safety.

Weak-side linebacker Rocky McIntosh is coming back from a serious knee injury. The Redskins think he'll be OK, but he has been taking it easy in training camp.

Cornerback Carlos Rogers is returning from a serious knee injury, and his remarkable recovery could have him on the field for the Giants game, something few thought possible when he suffered the injury Oct. 28.

Shawn Springs, the Redskins' best cornerback, has been hampered by injuries throughout training camp.

The same is true for free safety LaRon Landry, the defense's best playmaker. Landry strained a hamstring in the first week of training camp, and it kept him sidelined for weeks.

Special teams have some special challenges. The punting game needs to improve. Kicker Shaun Suisham must show that the 30-yard field goal attempt he missed in last year's playoff loss at Seattle, which robbed the Redskins of momentum, was a fluke.

What the Redskins must do before anything else, though, is survive the first five games. After the opener, the Redskins are at home against New Orleans and Arizona.

Then comes the toughest part. The Redskins go on the road to Dallas and Philadelphia.

Zorn, though, does not think success has anything to do with who the Redskins play or when they play them.

"There's a danger in getting too wrapped up in what other people do," Zorn said. "It's about us. We need to be concerned about what we do. That's what I'll be preaching."