Inside linebacker James Farrior has received a lot of accolades in the past week, including his first Pro Bowl selection and being voted the Steelers' most valuable player by his teammates.

Farrior, though, did not like what he received yesterday -- a letter from the National Football League indicating he has been fined $5,000 for a grabbing-the-facemask penalty in the victory against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday.

"Ridiculous," Farrior said.

Farrior was assessed a 15-yard penalty when he grabbed the facemask of Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller as he was trying to tackle him after a 3-yard scramble. The play occurred in the second quarter of the Steelers' 20-7 victory at Heinz Field.

Farrior is at least the fourth Steelers player to be fined by the league this season. Linebacker Joey Porter was fined when he was ejected for a pregame fight Nov. 14 in Cleveland and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El and cornerback Chidi Iwuoma each were fined $5,000 for throwing a ball at an opposing player.

Farrior said he will not appeal the fine.

"Coach [Bill] Cowher told me my chances of winning are not very good," Farrior said.

First rookie honor
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger received the first of what likely will be many rookie of the year awards yesterday when he was named winner of the team's Joe Greene Great Performance Award, given annually to the Steelers top rookie in a vote by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.

After posting the best record by a starting quarterback in league history (13-0), Roethlisberger will not start the regular-season finale Sunday in Buffalo because of a rib injury incurred in the victory against the Ravens. The Steelers list him as questionable on their injury report, though he hasn't practiced the past two days.

But Roethlisberger said he thinks he will be available to play against the Bills, should something happen to Tommy Maddox, who will make his first start since Week 2. The Steelers carry only two quarterbacks on their active roster and would have to waive a player from their 53-man roster if they sign quarterback Brian St. Pierre from the practice squad.

"It takes a lot to hold me down," Roethlisberger said. "I think if I had to, if they need me, if coach for some reason does need me, I will be able to go out there and perform."

Bettis is Chief
Running back Jerome Bettis, who is not expected to play in Buffalo, was named winner of the Chief Award, given annually to the Steelers player who best cooperates with the media. The award is voted on by members of the Pittsburgh chapter of the PFWA.

Bettis has six 100-yard games in six starts this season, filling in for injured Duce Staley, and leads the team with 941 yards rushing. He said he is more interested in resting for the playoffs and helping the team win the Super Bowl than gaining 1,000 yards for the ninth time in his 12-year career.

"Getting 1,000 yards means something to me, there's an incentive to get 1,000, but it's a bigger incentive to me to have an opportunity to win the Super Bowl," said Bettis, who did not practice for the second day in a row. "As much as I would like the consideration, it pales to the opportunity this team has. And I wouldn't want to jeopardize that. If me sitting down benefits the team more, then that's what I'll do."

Ben says thanks
Roethlisberger, on his No. 7 jersey being Reebok's top-seller among all NFL players: "I thank the fans for that. That shows we have Steelers fans all over the country. We just hope we continue to impress them and hopefully keep them on our side."

Injury list
In addition to Roethlisberger (ribs/questionable) and Bettis (ankle/doubtful), WR Plaxico Burress (hamstring), LB Clark Haggans (groin), CB Deshea Townsend (broken hand) and RB Verron Haynes (knee) did not practice for the second day in a row. DE Brett Keisel returned to practice. OLB James Harrison did not practice because of the flu.