The holding rule, if I can make a comparison, is like holding in hockey during the mid 90's. The rule was in place but was never enforced. In the NHL it lead to low scoring, crappy games. They made it a point of emphasis a few years ago and since then scoring has increased.
In the NFL it's a similar thing: when Polian threw his weight around to have the league enforce the calls, it was simply because the Patriots had a physical defense and took advantage of a rule that never got called.
Now, however, holding IS a point of emphasis and it's been noted time and again that it could be a reason why Belichick and Pioli went out of their way to put together a fantastic receiving core: when the advantage is given to the offense, you have to put together a squad that can capitalize on that.
All that said, when a team holds on almost every play like the Ravens did last night the officials aren't going to call it...it would be ridiculous to see a flag on every down. And unfortuntely that's what it'll take, because I have a feeling other teams are looking at this game film thinking 'hey, we can do that too.' Hopefully the Patriots are all over the league to do something about this, because we'll be seeing it every week if it's not adressed.
