San Antonio ? Dez Bryant insists he was unaware of the rookie ritual of carrying a veteran’s shoulder pads after practice. The Dallas Cowboys’ first-round pick would have done more than that had he known his refusal to accommodate Roy Williams’ request would become such a big issue.

“I told Roy this … he could have walked in with his tights on,” Bryant said after the first of Dallas’ two practices Tuesday. “I would have took his shoulder pads, his pants, his helmet, his socks, his shoes. I would have took everything. But you know what, that’s not even an issue.”

Bryant, the talented receiver who slipped to 24th overall in the draft because of questions about his character and talk of him skipping meetings and classes at Oklahoma State, said he is trying to do all the right things with the Cowboys at training camp.

“But it seems like I can’t do the right thing, because every little thing that I do (reporters) watch it and try to make a big deal out of it,” Bryant said.

NFL

Rams optimistic Bradford will sign

St. Louis — The St. Louis Rams are optimistic they’ll sign No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford soon, perhaps by Thursday when quarterbacks and rookies are due for their first training camp workout. Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said talks are proceeding with Bradford, and he was hopeful a deal would be reached soon.

Welker on unable to perform list

Foxborough, Mass. — The New England Patriots say they have placed wide receiver Wes Welker on the active/physically unable to perform list. Welker, who has made a strong recovery from knee surgery in February, could come off the list at any time, the Patriots said Tuesday.

Ex-Raiders S Tatum dies

Columbus, Ohio — Jack Tatum, the Pro Bowl safety for the Oakland Raiders best known for his crushing hit that paralyzed Darryl Stingley in an NFL preseason game in 1978, has died. He was 61.

Nicknamed “The Assassin,” Tatum, died of a heart attack Tuesday in an Oakland hospital, according to friend and former Ohio State teammate John Hicks.

Veteran OL Galbreath dies

Knoxville, Tenn. — NFL veteran offensive lineman Harry Galbreath has died. He was 45. His death was announced by the Tennessee athletic department and confirmed by CSX Transportation in Mobile, Ala., where he was working at the time of his death.

Cycling

Records sought from doping case

Austin, Texas — Federal prosecutors investigating cheating in professional cycling have subpoenaed documents from a 2004 case in which a Texas company tried to prove Lance Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs.

College athletics

WVU: Huggins broke 7 ribs

Morgantown, W.Va. — A spokesman for the West Virginia University basketball team says further testing has revealed that coach Bob Huggins broke seven ribs — not four — in a hotel room fall.

Bryan Messerly said Tuesday Huggins remains in a Las Vegas hospital and should be released soon, but he does not know exactly when.

Pac-10 will become Pac-12

New York — The Pac-10 will become the Pac-12 as soon as Colorado and Utah officially join the league.

The 95-year old league once known as the Pacific 8 announced Tuesday that it would change the conference’s name when the two new members join.

Iowa State DB Sims charged

Ames, Iowa — Iowa State defensive back David Sims has been charged with unauthorized use of a credit card.

The aggravated misdemeanor charge was filed Tuesday by the Story County Attorney’s Office. Sims is due in court Aug. 2.

NBA

Yao might quit if foot doesn’t heal

Beijing — Houston Rockets center Yao Ming is considering quitting basketball after next season if he doesn’t fully recover from his lingering foot injury.

In comments to Chinese state media Monday, Yao sounded far from optimistic about his future and also made a rare criticism of China’s national basketball program.

Minnesota’s Flynn has surgery

Minneapolis — Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Jonny Flynn might miss the start of the regular season after surgery on his left hip. The Timberwolves say Flynn underwent successful surgery Tuesday in Colorado. The team says typical recovery time is three to four months.

Soccer

Maradona out as Argentina’s coach

Buenos Aires, Argentina — Diego Maradona is out as Argentina’s soccer coach, his stay ending after nearly two years on the job and a humiliating exit in the World Cup quarterfinals. The Argentine Football Association said Tuesday it would not renew his contract.

NASCAR

Owner Roush injured in plane crash

Milwaukee — NASCAR team owner Jack Roush was in serious but stable condition after walking away from a plane crash in Wisconsin on Tuesday night.

“There are injuries. Possible surgery,” Roush Fenway Racing president Geoff Smith said in a text message to the Associated Press. “But he walked out of the plane.”