Everything I've seen so far says that cut blocks are illegal AWAY from the LoS, and even that's only been true since '05. Wikipedia says this:

"The linemen of some teams that use zone blocking schemes have been criticized for their penchant for cut blocking the knees of defenders, sometimes away from the play. Cut blocks are illegal in the open field and when a defensive player is engaged by another offensive player. Legal cut blocks should be aimed at the opposing player's waist or hip. Although some consider the technique unsportsmanlike because of the risk of serious injury, when taught and applied correctly it is a very effective tactic. In fact, some defensive players employ the technique to eliminate blockers so other defenders can make the tackle".

The other links I found were mostly newspaper articles discussing plans to change the rules (as has since been done) so that cut blocks AWAY from the play were illegal, in large part prompted by a cut block by Broncos RT George Foster (a lump and a bust) on Chargers DE Igor Olshansky. I'm not sure how anyone could say blocking in the pocket or at the point of a runners attack is "away from the play" and one of the articles discussing the impending change even cites the Falcons GM saying injuries from cut blocks between the tackles haven't been a big problem.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43421-2005Mar17.html

I guess I can't blame people being confused though; I DID find a month old article from your own L.A. Times whose author argues that instead of worrying about helmet to helmet the League needs to get rid of "chop blocks", which he proceeds to use interchangeably with "cut block" througout the article, though all player and coach quotes reference "cut blocks". He even defines them the same at one point, and states that chop blocks are legal at the point of attack on runs, just not passes. With people peddling that kind of misinformation, and the rules on cut blocks restricted just a few years ago, it's no wonder a lot of fans are misinformed on the matter. I pretty much know what Southern Californian sportswriters have to say about cut blocking, since those teams are 25% of Denvers schedule, but it would be nice if he could be more factually accurate than this:

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/oct/21/sports/la-sp-nfl-farmer-20101022