In Madden 15 penalties are random and really annoying. In Madden 16 EA uses new technology to deliver penalties at a similar pace to a real NFL game, with controls in place to add to the realism.
While playing a few games we saw the offense jump in a big play right after they drew us offside and then got hit with a hold on another play. So far the timing and frequency feels right, not overbearing and forced.