Then they found out that while the rout was taking place, the Broncos’ star defensive back accused them on national television of not even playing hard.

“The way they played up there in Kansas City, it ain’t the same, though,” said Bailey, who was miked for Monday Night Football.

Speaking to teammates on the Denver bench after the Broncos had taken control of the game in the first half, Bailey was clearly heard to say, “They’re playing a little different. They’re not playing as hard. I ain’t going to relax, though.”

“I know this — none of our players said Champ Bailey didn’t play hard when we beat them by three touchdowns last year out here,” Coach Dick Vermeil said Tuesday. “Eddie Kennison [Chiefs receiver] didn’t say that Champ Bailey was not playing hard.”

Vermeil tried to downplay Bailey’s remarks, but was clearly irritated.

“That’s why I don’t allow players to be miked. I don’t know what [Bailey] was referring to. That’s a player’s opinion,” he said.

An experienced broadcaster himself, Vermeil said he had always been against miking players.

“I just think the broadcast ought to be done by the guys in the booth,” he said. “That’s what they’re professionally trained to do. I just won’t put one of my players in that position.”

“Champ Bailey’s a fine kid, respected by everybody in the league,” Vermeil said. “But you put a mike on him, you never know what you’re going to hear. You catch some things guys say in frustration, and you use them to enhance the broadcast. But sometimes that embarrasses the player.”