Cassie Negley: What does it feel like to have fans want your autograph after practice?
Derek Session: It feels great. I remember me going out when I was back home in Baltimore going to Ravens camps and asking Ravens players for autographs. So just to know that somebody looks up to me is a great feeling.
CN: How did the first few days of practice go for you?
DS: It went so-so. I always try and go out here and get better. It's my rookie year, so I'm trying to adjust to the system and stuff. Everyday I'm just trying to get better.
CN: What was it like to be asked by the Bills to rookie camp, then have them sign you after you went undrafted out of Maine?
DS: It was kind of nerve-wracking at first. Going into the draft I didn't get any calls from any of the teams, and then after the draft I got a call from the Bills telling me they were inviting me to the rookie camp. So I was just so relieved knowing that I was on somebody's radar.
Then when I came, I did a pretty good job at the rookie camp. At the end of the rookie camp, they told me I did a pretty good job but they didn't have time to sign me at the time, so I went back home. [I] kept on working, working hard, waiting for the call back and they called me back for OTAs and mini-camp and it was like a dream come true just knowing I was back out here again.
CN: Who was the first person you told about the signing?
DS: My mom. She was pretty happy. She didn't show it at first. I guess she was just trying to keep her composure. But it all came out at the end when I went home and actually talked to her. It's always been a dream for me to play in the NFL so just to be here, just to get invited here, is a blessing.
CN: How is the overall experience of training camp going?
DS: I've been playing football since I was 8 and I've been in college for the past five years, so it's pretty much the same as far as the structure—the business structure we do the same thing. The structure and the time thing, that's nothing new. It's just getting used to the system.
CN: How are you doing in terms of getting used to the system?
DS: I've been down. I've learned some things. I'm trying to learn the plays, but then again I have to look at the defense so I'm trying to over think things. So when I can learn the system to the best of my abilities that's when I can just go out there and be an athlete. Go out there and play.
CN: Have you ever been to Rochester before?
DS: I actually have family here. I have a couple aunts and uncles on my father's side who live here. When I was younger [I would visit Rochester a lot]. We used to have family reunions, so I've been in Rochester a few times. The only thing I can really remember is just family reunions. I mainly remember being in a hotel and just being away from Baltimore for a little bit and being away from home. Getting in the swimming pool. That was my favorite part about family reunions, being in the swimming pool.
CN: What's it like to be at a training camp in a place you spent so much time in as a child?
DS: It's great knowing that when we get a day off I can see part of my family that I normally don't get to see every day. So whenever I do get a break, I'll go chill with my aunt, uncle, something like that. Chill with them, catch up with them, let them know how I'm doing and see how they're doing.
CN: Is there anything you have to make sure you do while you're in Rochester?
DS: Try to make this team. That's the only thing I have to do. Nah, I haven't heard anything in general about Rochester or restaurants. I'm going to look. I'm going to try and Google. I'll try and see what's going on in Rochester, restaurants and things like that. Other than seeing my family, no [I don't have any plans].
CN: What's a more "off-the-cuff" item you packed for camp?
DS: I have this one shirt I've worn every game. It's my University of Maine shirt. I cut it up. I usually wear it under my shirt on game day. I'll probably wear it for good luck tomorrow for my first night practice.
CN: What is one thing you absolutely had to pack for training camp?
DS: I had to pack my computer because I do everything on my computer. I didn't want to lug a TV up here, so I've been on Netflix a lot watching movies and stuff like that. We have off at night, so that's probably the only thing that keeps me entertained at night other than studying the playbook.
CN: Mario Williams had said he didn't realize you could rent things for camp. Did you know and rent things for camp?
DS: I didn't [know] either. I didn't realize what was going on until I got here and was actually talking to people and saw Rent-A-Center coming moving in beds and stuff like that. It's the first time I've ever seen it happen. When I was in Maine and I'd come in for camp I'd usually just bring a couple of sheets, a pillow and my TV and that was it."
CN: Any last thoughts on training camp so far?
DS: I'm just happy to be here. It's a dream come true to be here. I'm just trying to take it one day at a time, trying to keep getting better and hopefully I can make the team."
