TAMPA, Fla. — Ben Roethlisberger was thrilled to get the ring.

He was a second-year quarterback, after all, and not many of those win Super Bowls.

But a few weeks after the Steelers beat the Seahawks, 21-10, to win Super Bowl XL, something started eating at Roethlisberger.

He had not played well — badly, actually, going just 9-for-21 for 123 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, with the game's best pass coming when Antwaan Randle El threw a 43-yard TD to Hines Ward.

"The first time, my play didn't help the team to win," Roethlisberger said after the Steelers arrived here for Super Bowl XLIII. "It almost helped us lose it."

Tuesday, during the pomp, circumstance and absurdity of Super Bowl media day, Roethlisberger smiled for much of the 60 minutes he sat and answered questions. That is, with the exception of when Super Bowl XL was raised.

"I've always said that, when the game was over, it was such an unbelievable feeling to win a Super Bowl," Roethlisberger said. "As time passed, I got a little upset that I didn't play so well and that I didn't help the team win the game. Yeah, it fuels the fire to want to come out and play a better game next time."

That next time is Sunday against the Cardinals and there isn't anyone who doesn't believe Roethlisberger isn't a different quarterback.

"Light years," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "He was a member of that team and he's a leader of this team. His play has shown that, his preparation and everything else. He has carried us to this point."

Doing so with his obvious passing and scrambling abilities but also with a characteristic most prevalent in the top quarterbacks: leadership.

The 2005 team was led by running back Jerome Bettis and veteran guard Alan Faneca, now with the Jets.

This year?

"It's Ben's offense now," Arians said.

Ward said: "The year we were in the Super Bowl, we had great players. We had Alan Faneca. We had Jerome Bettis; a great mix of guys in that huddle. Now it's all Ben's huddle. He takes precedence in that huddle. All eyes are on him."