I think some of you are drinking a little too much conspiracy theory Kool Aid.
Our rash of penalties are a product of a few factors, none of which are "the league hates us."
1. We're not a very good football team, and most of the teams we play aren't that great either, so we get the #14 or #15 officiating crew just about every weekend.
2. The Hawks have been in the top 5 most penalized teams in the league ever since Carroll got here. That means lots of undisciplined stupid penalties.
3. Very aggressive defense and offensive line. Very aggressive = lots of holding and PI calls.
4. Bad Reputations. Players like Sherman, Browner and now Giacomini have developed reputations, so they're never going to get the benefit of the doubt. In fact, just the opposite, the refs are looking for them to hold and be stupid.
Where were all you conspiracy theorists during the Holmgren era when we were one of the least penalized teams in the league? Penalties are a direct result of the coaches. Carroll likes his players to play loose and aggressive......so we're seeing the result of that with penalties.