PITTSBURGH Hines Ward repeats as the Steelers' MVP

He is the first Steeler with 1,000 yards receiving in three straight seasons.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Wide receiver Hines Ward was selected the Pittsburgh Steelers' MVP on Friday for the second consecutive season.
Ward, who will be making his third appearance in the Pro Bowl, is the first Steelers player to have 1,000 yards receiving in three straight seasons. He leads the AFC and is fourth in the NFL with 93 receptions and is tied for third in the league with 10 touchdown catches.
"Being the MVP and not having the year we're supposed to, feels a little weird. But it's still a big honor for me. Having my teammates vote for me as the team MVP means more to me than any award I've won," said Ward, who shared the honor last season with linebacker Joey Porter.
Fourth back-to-back MVP
Ward is the fourth Steelers player since 1969 to win team MVP honors during consecutive seasons. The others were quarterback Terry Bradshaw (1977-78), running back Jerome Bettis (1996-97) and linebacker Levon Kirkland (1998-99).
Ward didn't vote for himself, instead casting his ballot for a surprising choice: backup running back Amos Zereoue. Ward said Zereoue worked hard in practice and didn't complain after losing his starting job at mid-season to Bettis.
"He was always that guy giving you hard work in practice," Ward said. "He never really complained about the situation. Jerome has been banged up, so he [Zereoue] has been out there practicing Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Come game time situations, Jerome was starting so, as a player, that can get frustrating over time."
Objective Sunday
The Steelers (6-9) will try to avoid only their third double-digit losing season since 1988 when they end the regular season Sunday at Baltimore (9-6). The Ravens need either a Cincinnati loss to Cleveland or a victory over Pittsburgh to win the AFC North.
The Steelers returned to practice Friday after being given Christmas off by coach Bill Cowher -- a reward for beating San Diego 40-24 on Sunday. The Steelers also got Christmas off last year and responded by beating Baltimore 34-31 to end the regular season.
Free safety Brent Alexander, who has a broken finger on his left hand, remains listed as questionable. If Cowher decides Alexander isn't ready to go Sunday, Chris Hope may start in Alexander's place.