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Closing the door on Peterson could open another one to something better at this point

On his 14th touch as an NFL player, a 22-year-old Adrian Peterson scored the first of his 102 professional touchdowns.

It was a screen pass from Tarvaris Jackson midway through the fourth quarter of a tight game with the Atlanta Falcons at the Metrodome on Sept. 9, 2007.

It was a simple, yet perfect play call by coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. The Vikings led 10-3 and Peterson, the rookie first-round draft pick, was chewing up close to 6 yards per carry. Atlanta defenders were playing the run, so why not put Peterson out in space and throw him the ball?