Robin Rombach, Post-Gazette Ben Roethlisberger: "You have to be able to push on. I think it will help me be more prepared for next year." Click photo for larger image. More Steelers coverage 'Friend' hopes Burress returns Randle El says he's ready to take on a starting role Steelers Sound Off: Final thoughts on a wild ride

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, playing what amounted to nearly two full college football seasons in his first season as a pro, grew weary mentally and physically near the end, and his play reflected it.

Roethlisberger completed the most successful season of any NFL rookie quarterback by throwing a season-high three interceptions as the Steelers lost to New England, 41-27, in the AFC championship game.

He also came away from his only loss as a starter with two broken toes on his right foot when "I almost got tackled and kind of fell on it" near the end of the first half, he said yesterday.

Roethlisberger's toes have plenty of time to heal, and so does his body and mind after playing in the longest season of his life.

"The body definitely started to wear down," said Roethlisberger, the unanimous NFL offensive rookie of the year. "I think it helped mentally that we were winning football games. I think it would have been a heck of a long season if we didn't win any football games. Mentally it started to wear on me a little; physically a little bit.

"Like I said, no excuses. You have to be able to push on. I think it will help me be more prepared for next year."

Roethlisberger played 14 games in his final season as a junior at Miami of Ohio. The Steelers played four preseason games, 16 regular-season games and two in the playoffs, plus two open weeks in which they practiced. Roethlisberger played in all but two of the games, replacing injured Tommy Maddox in the third quarter of the second regular-season game. His personal 27-game winning streak -- the final 13 at Miami and his NFL-record 14 with the Steelers -- ended Sunday.

Roethlisberger set NFL rookie records in the regular season with a 98.1 passer rating and by completing 66.4 percent of his passes, but his play in the final five games deteriorated statistically.

His passer rating in his final three starts of the regular season and two playoff games was 71.8. He had an 8.33 interception percentage compared to 3.7 for the regular season. He completed 72 of 120 passes for 1,088 yards six touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his final five starts. In his first 10 starts he threw 12 touchdowns and four interceptions.

"Anytime as a rookie you go through 24 weeks, 23 weeks, it's going to take a toll on you," offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said. "I remember when I played my rookie year. After eight games, that's a college season, you were worn out. You still have eight games left plus the playoffs. I'm sure to some degree there's a hitting-the-wall effect."

Whisenhunt saw Roethlisberger hitting it, but there was little anyone could do about it. Teams also defended him differently later in the season.

"Early in the season he made some big plays for us moving out of the pocket," Whisenhunt said. "He beat the blitz with some throws and I think later in the season people started playing off of us, especially on third down, to make the windows that he was making those throws to a little smaller. I think maybe later in the season he pressed a little bit trying to make a play because he made some bigger plays early on."

Roethlisberger developed a better understanding of the offense as the season grew, Whisenhunt said, that will help him next season. He also will benefit from an offseason in the Steelers' training program and another year of maturity to fight the physical and mental fatigue that took place this season.

Roethlisberger said the weight of the long season pressed harder Sunday.

"There is weariness from the whole season," he said. "Then you have to play coach [Bill] Belichick's defense. That's always tough. The different things he threw at us, the looks, the blitzes, everything. That's tough.

"My arm got a little tired. I didn't throw the ball as much as a [Peyton] Manning did, but I threw the ball a lot this year compared to what I did in a 10-, 12-game season. Physically it just wears on you a little bit, but it will help me grow for next year. ... This is a huge learning step for me. I will hopefully get better both mentally and physically for next year."

Relaxation is what he has on his mind now. He plans to take a vacation, play golf, watch his younger sister play high school basketball and visit some former Miami teammates.

"I think I will be OK. I've just got to rest."

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