Roethlisberger looking to rebound from less than super performance+_

Jan 30, 2009 - 12:25 AM By Carl Carchia PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl three years ago at the ripe old age of 23.

The term "win" should be used loosely, though.

That is because Roethlisberger - in his second year at the time - also posted the lowest rating (22.6) by a winning quarterback in Super Bowl history.

The dismal showing has led to one of the more interesting story lines of Super Bowl XLIII - a championship quarterback looking for redemption.

Roethlisberger is on the verge of joining Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks to win two Super Bowls by the age of 26. Unlike Brady, though, the Steelers won despite Roethlisberger.

"The first time, my play didn't help the team to win. It almost helped us lose it," said Roethlisberger, who completed just 9-of-21 passes for 123 yards and two interceptions in the 21-10 victory over Seattle.

It was the only time in nine postseason games that "Big Ben" failed to throw a touchdown.

"Of course, I do want to play better than I did last time because I felt like I let the guys down and I didn't help them win the game," he said.

"That was the first time I stayed nervous for an entire game. I played in a championship game in college - not a national championship, but the MAC (Mid-American Conference) - and was never nervous all the way through a football game. I expect it to be different this time."

So why will it be different?

"I'm more relaxed," he said. "I'm having more fun. The first time was my second year in the league and I was so overwhelmed because it was such a dream to be in the game. This time, I'm just enjoying it and having more fun.

"I'm going to go into it and treat it like it's just another football game and go out and have fun. I'm going to treat it like it might be my last. I've been here before, and I kind of understand what went right and what went wrong last time."

His teammates can sense Roethlisberger is itching to redeem himself.

"He's out on a mission," said receiver Hines Ward, who earned MVP honors in Super Bowl XL.

"He really wants to go out there and redeem himself. You know we won the Super Bowl as a team but, him personally, he didn't particularly play like he wanted to play so I know he wants to go out there and really put on a great show."

Roethlisberger's performance in Super Bowl XL lent credence to his detractors who say he has been "a bus driver," along for the ride with one of the top defenses in the NFL and - up until this season - a strong running game.

Naysayers point to his 2008 regular season, when Roethlisberger threw for 3,301 yards with 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. His 80.1 quarterback rating was a meager 24th in the league.

Still, Roethlisberger says he doesn't mind the criticism because he wins.

"A lot of these quarterbacks, they are pretty players. They put up big numbers, but you know what? I'll take a win," he said. "I just like to win football games, and I guess that is what I do."

Roethlisberger has done plenty of winning, compiling a 58-22 record including a 7-2 mark in the postseason since entering the NFL as the 11th pick of the 2004 draft.

While Roethlisberger would like to improve on his last Super Bowl performance, the most important thing is that he is holding the Lombardi Trophy at the end.

"It's all about winning the football game," Roethlisberger said. "I don't care how I do it - if I throw for 300 yards or 100 yards. If we win the game, that's all that matters to me."

One thing is for sure, Roethlisberger's teammates appreciate him.

"Quarterbacks should be judged by wins and losses," tight end Heath Miller said. "That's why he should be considered among the top in the NFL."

If Roethlisberger leads the Steelers past the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, there will be no question about his status among the game's elite.