Faulk is Rams' MVP for 3rd year

ST. LOUIS -- Marshall Faulk is the St. Louis Rams' most valuable player, at least in his teammates' eyes.

The running back was honored over quarterback Kurt Warner, the team's other candidate for league MVP, in voting announced Tuesday.

Faulk has been chosen team MVP the last three years, although that's not necessarily a barometer of what will happen when league MVP voting is announced today. Faulk was league MVP last year and Warner won in 1999, the last time the Rams (14-2) made it to the Super Bowl.

Coaches had no say in the team award, and Rams coach Mike Martz is taking a diplomatic approach about the issue. Faulk is the first player in NFL history with four consecutive 2,000-yard seasons and Warner had 4,830 passing yards, the second-highest total ever.

"Come on, please," Martz said. "I think either one of them would be a great choice. It's just like asking me which one of my kids I like best. I can't answer that."

The best result, for Martz, would be if Warner and Faulk could somehow split the award. At least one voter on the national panel has said he'd give both players one-half of a first-place vote.

"I just think one of those guys ought to get it, and I'd be very happy with either choice," Martz said. "Personally, I'd just as soon have co-MVPs because I think they're both deserving."