In the days after the Steelers disposed of Baltimore in Week 9, and Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward threw a devastating block on Ravens linebacker Bart Scott, Scott told the Baltimore Sun that he threatened to kill Ward. At the time, Scott also said, "I threatened him. If I see him again, I'm going to threaten him again."

Asked if there is a carryover effect leading into this week's game, Ward said, "In my opinion, there is none. I'm not worried about Bart Scott."

Well, Scott seems to have changed his tune -- or has he?

"He's my best friend," Scott deadpanned of Ward on a conference call yesterday.

Scott then continued speaking about Ward in a sometimes confusing, deadpan tone. The Baltimore linebacker said, among other things and presumably jokingly, that he has a limited long-term memory due to a defect he was born with and that he wears a wristband so he can remember the plays.

"I said that he was a great guy in the community and I loved what he did for those kids when he brought them over from Asia," Scott said of Ward. "That was a great class act. He's a great guy. ... Let bygones be bygones, there is too much going on in the world. I love Hines Ward, he's my favorite guy."

Scott then seemingly turned a little serious.

"We all say things when we are angry," he said. "I am sure you argued with your girlfriend and told her you hate her. And then you went back and analyzed it and said, 'Hey, I love you.' That is what it was, I was upset with Hines, but I think he's a great guy. ... So I might send him a box of chocolates or something."

Baltimore coach Brian Billick also weighed in on the situation.

"Both parties need to make sure they conduct themselves professionally," Billick said.

Over the past four seasons, the "M" and "T" in Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium could have stood for "mangled" and "twisted" -- that is exactly what the Ravens have done to the Steelers at the venue in four successive trips.

The Steelers make the jaunt to Baltimore Sunday without a win in that city since 2002. Since then, there have been the near misses -- overtime losses in 2003 and '05 -- and times in which the Steelers were overmatched (a 17-point loss in '04 and a 27-0 drubbing last season).

In describing the situation, Ward offered the following Yogi Berra-esque response: "It is not easy going to Baltimore and beating Baltimore in Baltimore."

Two things are undeniable: The quote by Ward describes the situation wholly, and the loss in Baltimore still smarts. In the Nov. 26 blanking last season, Baltimore yielded just 21 yards rushing to the Steelers' ground attack, the Steelers converted 1 of 12 third-down conversion attempts and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked nine times.

"I do remember not being able to move the ball well," Steelers left guard Alan Faneca said. "I think last year when we were there, we got in a lot of third-down situations that weren't necessarily third-and-doables. It let their defense dictate the game to us."

In a vote by his teammates, linebacker James Harrison was selected this year's team Most Valuable Player.

In his first season as a starter, Harrison has been selected to the Pro Bowl. Through 15 games, he has 73 tackles, 8.5 sacks and six forced fumbles.

"It is a real big honor," Harrison said. "It just shows they feel how valuable I am to the team. I am honored."

Obviously, Roethlisberger merited heavy consideration by his teammates as well. He, too, is headed to the Pro Bowl.

"I voted for Ben [Roethlisberger]," Harrison said. "I have a hard time voting for myself."

Roethlisberger joins Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner as a finalist for FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week honors for games played Dec. 20-24.

In addition, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin joins New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin and Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs as nominees for the Motorola NFL Coach of the Week for last week.

Fans can vote for both awards on NFL.com.

Offensive tackle Marvel Smith (back), linebacker Clint Kriewaldt (neck) and wide receiver Willie Reid (shoulder) did not practice yesterday. Roethlisberger (ankle) and linebacker Andre Frazier (groin) saw limited practice time.