Dallas Cowboys: The Top 20 Players in the Last 25 Years on America's Team

Over the last 25 years, the Dallas Cowboys have earned every title in the book:

Best team in the NFL, biggest disappointment in the NFL, most overrated in the NFL and some argue (rightfully so at times) that the title of America’s Team should be stripped away from this franchise.

When creating the list of the best Cowboys over the last 25 years, there were three distinct eras in the franchise focused upon.

It was clear that the dynasty teams of the 1990s would dominant the discussion and account for many of the Top 20 players. During that time, a handful of superstars and future Hall of Famers led the Cowboys to three Super Bowls.

Unfortunately, over the next handful of years (Pre-Romo), the Cowboys were a constant disappointment during the regular season and the playoffs (when they made it that far). It consisted of many years of random quarterbacks, a shaky defense and a series of unsuccessful coaches.

The third and final chapter of the franchise has been the “Romo era” where the Cowboys have had a handful of well chronicled letdowns, albeit multiple playoff appearances and the franchise’s first playoff win since 1995.

All in all, you will notice a lot of players from the Super Bowl teams as well as players from the current roster. Unfortunately, the middle era of the last 25 years have been weak and have little to contribute to this list.

1. Troy Aikman
2. Emmitt Smith
3. Michael Irvin
4. Jason Witten
5. DeMarcus Ware
6. Deion Sanders
7. Charles Haley
8. Larry Allen
9. Darren Woodson
10. Tony Romo
11. Daryl Johnston
12. Terrell Owens
13. Jay Ratlifff
14. Mat McBriar
15. Jim Jeffcoat
16. Jay Novaceck
17. Larry Brown
18. Gregg Ellis
19. Dez Bryant
20. DeMarco Murray

It is unfortunate that more lineman do not get the kind of recognition they deserve. It is challenging to quantify which lineman deserve credit and which are better because of their teammates.

Additionally, it is strange to consider that DeMarco Murray who has played only four games thus far cracked the Top 20 list. Is it fair for The Triplets to dominate the list? Should TO even be allowed on any Cowboys list? Should Jason Garrett be on this list because of his current standing as the Coach?

Who was left off this list? Who should not be on the list?