A.O. Shipley, a Pittsburgh area native and former center for Penn State, has refused a contract offer from the Steelers and instead signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, reports the Post Gazette.

It was first reported that Shipley declined to sign with the Steelers when the team could not tell him who his position coach for 2010 would be — which many took as a sign that Larry Zierlien’s days were numbered.

However, A.O. Shipley told Mike Bires of the Beaver Times that he was looking for a team that would give me the best chance to make a 53 man roster. Shipley was a 7th round draft pick for the Steelers in 2009 and spent the 2009 season on the team’s practice squad.

Tomlin Interviews Bobby April

The search to replace fired special teams coach Bob Ligashesky is on and, although there is not much out there on his replacement, what little news there is, is encouraging.

Ed Bouchette reported in Post-Gazette Plus yesterday that Mike Tomlin was interviewing Bobby April. April severed as the Steelers special teams coach in 1994 and 1995. He was last seen on a Steelers sideline running up to Bill Cowher and encouraging him to call a surprise on sides kick during Super Bowl XXX.

The kicked worked, and today still forms an important part in the legened of the greatest comeback that never was…. (Thanks Neil…)