Patrick Reusse: Look for jersey-sporting public to clamor for Peterson's number

There was quite a mix of souvenir jerseys to be found on the ticketholders revolving into the Metrodome late Sunday morning. The finding of an informal survey was that there were more No. 84 Randy Moss jerseys remaining on the backs of Vikings fans than any other outerwear seen at this season opener.

"That's going to change," said Jason Jones, a co-owner at Nick's Sports World in downtown Minneapolis. "We ran out of Adrian Peterson replica jerseys, and that was before the game. He outsold everyone 4-to-1, with [Tarvaris] Jackson second."

Vikings followers have not often been accused of being clairvoyant, although that apparently was the case with the folks drifting into Nick's on their way to the Atlanta game.

Those aging purple Moss jerseys are certain to be outnumbered by Peterson's No. 28s when the Vikings return in Week 4 to play Green Bay.

The rookie running back made his official debut, and before the Vikings' rapid-moving 24-3 victory was over, the home team had a star attraction for the first time since Moss left for Oakland and Daunte Culpepper took passage on the Love Boat.

Peterson was merely impressive through the first 3½ quarters against the futile Falcons. Then, he made a play that both guaranteed the victory and sent the witnesses away from the Dome squealing with delight.

For all the time that fans spend alleging an appreciation for defense, the NFL's only stars with a giant profile are quarterbacks, running backs and a couple of receivers. Four quarters into his career, the Vikings have one of those running backs.

Peterson's instant ascent to stardom came with 7½ minutes remaining in the game and the Vikings holding a 10-3 lead. It was mystifying as to how the Falcons still could be within a touchdown, considering the ineptitude of their quarterback, Joey Harrington.

Yet, there it was on the Dome's scoreboards -- Vikings 10-3, and facing third-and-5 at their 40. The Vikings figured on a blitz, with the idea that quarterback Tarvaris Jackson would hang tough in the pocket before swinging a pass to Peterson in the right flat.

"I saw the blitz," Jackson said. "I wanted to hold the ball as long as possible and give him a good ball. Adrian did the rest."

Jackson's toss was out in front of Peterson. He batted it backward, reached to pop the ball to himself, secured it and was up to speed immediately.

"Tarvaris made a great pass under pressure," Peterson said. "I kind of got a bobble but was able to pull it in. [Receiver] Sidney Rice got a great block, and there was nothing but green grass in front of me."

In addition to that green turf, Peterson saw one other identifiable object in front of him -- center Matt Birk -- that let him know there were no Falcons to prevent this 60-yard touchdown sprint.

"Birk was about 20 yards away, standing there by himself," he said.

That was Peterson's only catch, but it was worth 60 of Jackson's modest total of 163 yards passing. He also had 19 carries for 103 of the Vikings' 139 rushing yards.

"Not only does he get to the line very fast, but he gets through fast, too," right guard Artis Hicks said. "And he's strong. You go up high to tackle him, he's going to knock you off and keep going. He's a complete back."

Peterson is 6-1 and 217 pounds. He runs high, and that makes him seem taller -- makes him look similar in frame to Seattle's Shaun Alexander, the NFL's MVP in 2005.

Steve Hutchinson, the Vikings left guard and a former Seahawk, was asked if he sees an Alexander-Peterson comparison.

"He reminds me more of a back I played with when I was a rookie ... Ricky Watters," Hutchinson said. "He's quick to the hole and hits it upright, like Watters. Shaun is more of a cutback runner.

"What Adrian does have in common with Shaun is they are both great backs."

There's all you need to know. Hutchinson, a player seldom known to gush, was willing to use "great" in the same sentence with Peterson after one game.

So, here's a notice to Purple zealots: Hustle if you want to be the first on the block to dump that ratty old Moss jersey for a shiny new No. 28.

Patrick Reusse can be heard weekdays on AM-1500 KSTP at 6:45 and 7:45 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. • preusse@startribune.com