--While the Redskins showered free agents Albert Haynesworth and Derrick Dockery with nearly $50 million guaranteed on the first day of free agency, they've actually struck out with true unrestricted free agents who have visited their facility.

Haynesworth agreed to terms before setting foot inside Redskin Park and Dockery and defensive end Renaldo Wynn had both played in Washington for years so they didn't need to see the place before agreeing to return. Linebacker Robert Thomas, who signed on April 8, was considered a street free agent since he didn't finish last season in the NFL after being cut by the Raiders in December.

However, offensive tackle Ray Willis visited in March and soon re-signed with Seattle and quarterback Byron Leftwich, a Washington native, spurned the Redskins, too. Leftwich, who visited on April 3, signed with Tampa Bay instead on April 12 because the Bucs will apparently give him a chance to compete for the starting job. The Redskins, who have only been offering 1-year, minimum salary deals since their opening day spending spree, told Leftwich that he would be competing to back up incumbent quarterback Jason Campbell.

--The Redskins will open the season at their NFC East rivals, the New York Giants, for a second straight year.

Washington's home opener is against St. Louis on Sept. 20 in a game that matches second-year coach Jim Zorn against the Rams' new coach, former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, the last man to interview with Dan Snyder before the owner hired Zorn and ended a month-long search to replace the retired Joe Gibbs in February 2008.

The Sept. 13 opener, the Redskins' finale at Giants Stadium, which is being replaced in 2010, is one of four of seven games against playoff teams before its bye week. Washington also faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Oct. 4) and Philadelphia Eagles (Oct. 26, one of two Monday night games on ESPN) at home and visits the Carolina Panthers (Oct. 11).

The Eagles' game comes immediately before Washington's bye week.

The Redskins' other Monday night game is also at home, the return engagement with the Giants on Dec. 21. Washington's third division foe, the Dallas Cowboys, also play at FedEx Field on national TV, on NBC's Sunday Night Football on Dec. 27.

"With the competitiveness of the NFC East, the NFL wants to give its fans the opportunity to see this division play on a national platform," Zorn said.

Washington plays its first game in the Cowboys' new stadium on Nov. 22 a week before visiting the Eagles.

While Washington will visit Detroit, now coached by former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who also interviewed for Zorn's job, for a second straight year (Sept. 27), the date in Oakland (Dec. 13) will be the Redskins' first at the Raiders in 11 years. The Jan. 3 season finale against the Chargers will be Washington's first game at San Diego in eight years.

The Denver Broncos, coached by former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, yet another candidate to replace Gibbs, will play at Washington for the first time in 11 years on Nov. 15. The Kansas City Chiefs visit for the first time since 2001 on Oct. 18.

Washington plays in Atlanta for the first time since 2003 on Nov. 8. The annual games at Dallas and Philadelphia are back-to-back on Nov. 22 and 29. The New Orleans Saints, whose new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams formerly held that job with the Redskins and was the original top candidate to replace Gibbs, visit on Dec. 6 for a second straight year.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's an opportunity that I didn't foresee. It's great for me, my wife and my daughter. Everyone's happy. We still have a place in [Las] Vegas, but this is like a second home. You never realize how much a place grows on you until you leave." -- DE Renaldo Wynn, a Redskin from 2002-06 who re-signed in March and still had a home in Northern Virginia.