By Kevin Asseo BBC Sport in California

Sorry, Terrell Owens, it looks like you are stuck.

Faced with the prospect of playing for the Baltimore Ravens, to whom the San Francisco 49ers traded their erstwhile wide receiver, Owens' less-than-enthusiastic reaction left no doubt about his feelings.

"Under the present circumstances I do not see myself playing for the Ravens," Owens said on Monday, referring to the complaint he filed with the players union.

"I can assure everyone that I will continue to keep fighting for my right to play for the team of my choice even after the grievance."

Unfortunately for Owens, playing for the "team of your choice" is an option available to a free agent - a description that does not apply to him.

Owens leaves happier times at the 49ers behind him

This is thanks to the infamous gaffe Owens' agent, David Joseph, made by failing to file the necessary paperwork with the NFL to declare his free agency.

Joseph says it is not his fault, claiming the NFL failed to notify him of the filing deadline.

But those claims have so far fallen on deaf ears, and a ruling in Owens' favour is a long shot.

Before last season had even concluded, Owens decided to void his contract with 49ers and become a free agent.

So why did Joseph and Owens not have the paperwork completed the moment the final whistle blew on the 49ers' season? Only they know.

The receiver would do well to reconsider his current stance.

The Ravens are a safe bet to be one of the NFL's top teams next season.

They have a superb defence, the best running back in the league in Jamal Lewis, and a young up-and-coming quarterback in Kyle Boller.

Owens' chief concern may be Lewis' presence, which could give the receiver fewer receiving opportunities.

That would not be a surprise given Owens' selfish attitude, but it is time for him to close his mouth and realise playing in Baltimore could be his best option after all.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damon Stoudamire made a bold move last week when he agreed to an independent drugs test to prove he is clean of marijuana, for which he had been arrested three times in the past two years.

Stoudamire has agreed to an independent drugs test

The NBA players association reacted predictably and said the test violated the collective bargaining agreement, which, technically, it did.

That is a good thing. If more players stood up to the testing policy and stepped forward to take voluntary tests, maybe a movement would begin.

Perhaps players in Major League Baseball, a league with a huge cloud of drugs controversy hanging over its head, will follow suit and force the union to change its testing policy.

March Madness, the college basketball championship knockout tournament that captivates America for three weeks each spring, has nearly arrived.

The brackets are already taking shape.

The early storyline focuses squarely on tiny St Joseph's University from Philadelphia, the only undefeated team in nation.

There has not been an undefeated national champion for nearly 30 years - since Indiana ran the table in 1976 - and all eyes are on the Hawks as the madness nears.