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Cutler, Marshall surprised by Allen hit

Having played against Jared Allen twice a year in the AFC West, Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall agreed that the cheap shot the Vikings defensive end delivered last Sunday was out of character.

On Antoine Winfield’s interception return early in the second half, Allen launched himself into the head of Bears guard Lance Louis, who suffered a season-ending knee injury on the play. The NFL has reportedly fined Allen $21,000 for the illegal hit.

“He’s not that type of player,” Cutler said. “I was surprised by it, to be honest. He’s not that type of guy. He plays extremely hard. He usually does things the right way. I’ve always respected him. It kind of caught me off guard.

“You look at the play and he hit him in the head. He did all of the things he shouldn’t do. Whether there’s a fine, it’s going to be up to the league office. But I don’t think it’s indicative of the player or person he is.”

As Broncos teammates, Cutler and Marshall played two games a year in 2006-07 against Allen, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Chiefs before being traded to the Vikings in 2008.

“He has always been a competitor and a good sport, so that shocked me seeing that play,” Marshall said. “I know he plays aggressive and he plays physical, so I wasn’t surprised by him cracking back. But to launch at Lance’s head, that was a little shocking.”

On Monday, coach Lovie Smith and defensive end Israel Idonije called the block “unnecessary.”