Steelers select Farrior as MVP

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