Thursday marked the first session of the New York Giants OTAs that are open to the media.
The Giants, like the rest of the NFL, in “Phase 3” of their offseason program, which began earlier this week. Phase 3 lasts four weeks and consists of 10 days of organized team activities (OTAs), which involve in-person classroom work and (non-contact) 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and full team 11-on-11 drills.
It’s important to remember that while teams would surely like to have full attendance at these practices, they are all voluntary until mandatory Mini-Camp in June. Coaches would surely like to have their whole roster in the building (and under their thumb) for the purposes of schematic installation and building camaraderie in the locker room, but there are some advantages for players who elect to continue their own training until the mandatory phase begins.