PITTSBURGH - He doesn't have a catchy nickname like the Bus or Big Ben, but that didn't keep linebacker James Farrior from being chosen as the Pittsburgh Steelers' most valuable player in a vote of his teammates.

Despite getting less media attention than rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger or running back Jerome Bettis, Farrior on Wednesday became the fifth linebacker chosen as the MVP during Bill Cowher's 13 seasons as coach.

Farrior, selected last week for his first Pro Bowl, leads the Steelers (14-1) with 118 tackles and also has five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, four sacks and four interceptions.

"You're always surprised when someone gets an honor like this," Farrior said. "Everybody has their own pick who they think is the MVP, but nobody ever expects it to be themselves."

Farrior voted for Bettis, who began the season as a short-yardage running back but is on the verge of another 1,000-yard season after rushing for at least 100 yards in all six starts.

"He's been an inspiration to everyone on this team," Farrior said. "I think he's the heartbeat of the team right now."

Farrior, who joined the Steelers as a free agent from the Jets in 2002, is the first defensive player to win the award by himself since linebacker Levon Kirkland in 1999. Bettis won in 2000 and quarterback Kordell Stewart was chosen in 2001, while linebacker Joey Porter shared it with wide receiver Hines Ward in 2002. Ward won last season.

"It's a great award for him," Cowher said.

Cowher said Farrior received nearly every vote.

"He's performed at a very high level all year long and it was obviously recognized with his selection to his first Pro Bowl, but probably more important than that he was recognized by his teammates," Cowher said.

Other Steelers linebackers chosen as MVP since Cowher's hiring in 1992 were Greg Lloyd (1994), Kirkland (1998, 1999) and Porter.

"I am very proud of it," Farrior said.

Ben Roethlisberger can't remember playing a football game without meaning. Thanks to a sore rib, he almost certainly won't play one Sunday in Buffalo.Roethlisberger sat out the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice Wednesday with bruised rib cartilage and, while he hasn't been officially ruled out, the rookie quarterback will do little more Sunday than stand along the sidelines wearing a white ski cap.Thirteen-game winning streak or not, the Steelers (14-1) aren't about to risk further injury to their valuable rookie - not with home-field advantage and a first-round bye already secured for the AFC playoffs.Tommy Maddox practiced with the regulars on Wednesday, and coach Bill Cowher said Maddox will start for the first time since injuring his right elbow Sept. 19 in Baltimore."I felt prepared and ready to go in case something happened and felt like I would've been ready come playoff time. But it's an added bonus to get some snaps going into it," Maddox said Wednesday.Roethlisberger has never missed a game to injury during his high school, college or pro career, but understands the reasoning if he sits out despite his 13-0 record as a starter. Jerome Bettis (sprained ankle) probably won't play, either, despite needing only 59 yards for a 1,000-yard rushing season."Each way has its pros and cons," Roethlisberger said. "It's probably good to get your rest in, but you don't want to get rusty. So we're going to make sure that I go out there and stay mentally sharp and prepare myself, and just take it from there."Roethlisberger did some light throwing Wednesday and expects to get some more practice time this week to keep his timing sharp.The rookie was hurt late in the third quarter of a 20-7 victory Sunday over Baltimore when linebacker Terrell Suggs slammed into him from behind. Suggs drew a 15-yard roughing penalty, but Roethlisberger doesn't think it was a cheap shot."I don't think he did anything dirty. He drove me into the ground, which didn't feel too good but I don't think it was anything illegal," Roethlisberger said. "He's a Pro Bowl player. You don't expect cheap things coming from a guy like that so I don't think there was anything wrong with it.Roethlisberger returned to complete two passes on the next possession, only to be pulled for Maddox midway through the game-ending, 14-play drive.Roethlisberger separated ribs while playing at Miami of Ohio, so there was some initial concern when he was hurt. Postgame tests showed no broken ribs or any other injury that might take weeks to heal."That's what we wanted to look at, to make sure it wasn't that," Roethlisberger said. "I think every football player has had some injury related to their ribs, and it's one of those things that, as a quarterback, you take a lot of hits in the ribs and midsection. It's just a thing that will get better."Roethlisberger would prefer not to have what could be a three-week layoff before his first NFL playoff game Jan. 15 or 16, but understands the Steelers' reasoning if he does."I'm going to hit this thing hard, in the training room and out on the field, and whatever coach decides he wants, I'll be ready," he said. "Whatever he decides is right for me and right for the team, I'll go with it."If Roethlisberger doesn't play, he will have concluded a rookie season that isn't likely to be matched by another rookie quarterback in the near future.Until this season, no rookie QB since the 1970 NFL merger had won more than six consecutive starts to begin his career or nine games in a season; Roethlisberger is 13-0. He also has completed a rookie-record 66.4 percent of his passes, compared to Dan Marino's 58.3 for Miami in 1983, and his passer rating of 98.1 tops Marino's 96.0.Roethlisberger's average of 8.88 yards per pass attempt is the league's highest for a rookie quarterback since Greg Cook's 9.411 for the 1969 Bengals.