Class was in session.
There was Steve Smith, five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, on the sideline Thursday during Giants organized team activity practice No. 5, diligently working with Jalin Hyatt, a wide receiver entering his second NFL season.
Smith also spent plenty of time with rookie Malik Nabers, the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft.
Smith, who played 13 of his 16 NFL seasons with the Panthers, is spending a few days with the Giants this spring, just as he did last year.
Smith is close with general manager Joe Schoen, as the two broke into the league together in Carolina in 2001 — Smith as a third-round draft pick and Schoen as scouting assistant.
They were together with the Panthers for seven years.
“We have a good relationship with him, Joe and I,’’ coach Brian Daboll said. “I think he’s a good sounding board for some of the young guys, particularly some of the young receivers. I have a lot of respect for his game, how he’s played.’’
Smith, 45, finished his career with 1,031 receptions for 14,731 yards and 81 touchdowns, known as an undersized but ferocious competitor.
He spent plenty of time showing Hyatt various techniques for getting off the line of scrimmage, with Nabers intently watching and listening.
Daboll again deflected talk about his taking over the play-calling on offense, saying he is not ready to announce that decision.
This spring, he has been on the radio signaling the calls in for the quarterback, and that is likely to continue into the season — which would be a departure from the past two years, when offensive coordinator Mike Kafka called the plays until Daboll took over those duties late in the 2023 season.
“I’ve called plays for a long time,’’ Daboll said. “So it’s good to get out here at practice and do it, but there’s a whole process that goes through with it. There’s training camp. There’s OTAs. And I’ll make the decision, like I said back in March, … that I feel is best.’’
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Andrew Thomas lined up at left tackle in 11-on-11 drills after sitting out the team periods in the earlier OTAs. … Other than TE Darren Waller — who is expected to announce his retirement at some point — Daboll said every player has participated in the offseason program.
Once again, Daniel Jones took part in seven-on-seven drills but not the full team periods. Jones, in the seven-on-seven drill, completed five of six passes, twice hitting Wan’Dale Robinson.
Jones, coming off ACL surgery, might not work in the 11-on-11 period until training camp.
“Have not made that decision yet,’’ Daboll said. “We’ve talked about it. I’d say he’s getting closer and closer. He’s only 6 ¹/₂ months out, so he’s kind of right on schedule in terms of his rehab plan where we have him.’’
WR and kick returner Gunner Olszewski slipped on the grass at the end of a route and limped off the field.