The process of identifying the top 53 players on the roster ramps up tomorrow for the 2014 New York Giants.

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After 10 organized team activities (OTAs) spread over the last three weeks, Big Blue hits the field for the start of mandatory minicamp, which will be held Tuesday-Thursday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

The three-day stretch will set the stage for next month's training camp. But how is mandatory minicamp different than OTAs? It's a common question, and while there isn't a huge difference, there is some.

First, let's look at what minicamp is under Article 22 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement:

• Clubs may hold one mandatory minicamp for veteran players. This minicamp must occur during Phase Three of the offseason program.

• No mandatory veteran minicamp may exceed three days in length, plus one day for physical examinations.

• The minicamp must be conducted during the week (Monday-Friday), with physicals taking place on Monday but no practice or workouts on that day, practices on Tuesday through Thursday and a day off on Friday.

• Players may be on the field for a total of no more than three and one-half hours per day

• Players may participate in one practice for no more than two and one-half hours of on-field activities under Phase Three rules.

• Like OTAs, there is no live contact during minicamp, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.

• Clubs may require players to wear helmets; no shells are permitted during Phase Three of the club's offseason workout program or any minicamp.

Now how is minicamp different from OTAs?

• Mandatory minicamp is exactly that -- "mandatory." OTAs are voluntary workouts.

• Two-a-day practices shall be permitted at two of the three practice days of the Club's one mandatory minicamp, subject to the following rules:

• • (i) players may be on the field for a total of no more than three and one-half hours per day;
  • (ii) players may participate in one practice for no more than two and one-half hours of on-field activities under Phase Three rules;
  • (iii) the second practice may only be for the remaining portion of the players' daily three and one-half hour on-field activities and shall be limited to walk-through instruction only.

All Giants minicamp practices will be open to the media. Not all OTAs were.