Editor’s note: This story was originally published on October 24, 2019.
Two distinct eras filled the past 10 seasons of Dallas Cowboys football.
Before Tony Romo and after Tony Romo.
Believe it or not, the Cowboys were actually more successful in the latter era of the decade making two playoff appearances with Dak Prescott leading the offense versus a single appearance in 2014 under Romo.
The 2014 season not only provided one of the league’s most controversial moments when #DezCaughtIt, it also marked somewhat of a turning point overall of the franchise. The Cowboys went 30-34 from 2010-13 and have gone 52-35 since (as of Oct. 24).
The offense has evolved from the pass-heavy Romo attacks to being led by potent runners behind one of the league’ top offensive lines, and the defense has churned out a few budding stars of its own.
With that said, here’s a look at who The Dallas Morning News has selected for the Cowboys’ all-decade team, including 11 offensive and defensive players, a special teams unit, and head coach:
Offense
Quarterback: Tony Romo
While Romo handed over the reigns to Prescott during the 2016 season, he still put up some of his biggest numbers this decade. Romo’s career high for passing yards in a season (4,903) came in 2012, while three of his top four passing touchdown totals also came in the past ten seasons (2011, 2013-14).
Backfield: Ezekiel Elliott, DeMarco Murray
Elliott and Murray combined for 9,176 rushing yards from 2010-19. Behind some of the Cowboys’ best offensive lines, Murray broke the franchise’s single-season rushing record when he racked up 1,845 yards in 2014. Elliott has also won a pair of NFL rushing titles of his own.
Receivers, tight ends: Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley, Jason Witten
Over the course of the decade, this trio would all be near the top of any Cowboys receiving category you could come up with. Bryant caught a franchise record 73 touchdowns during his eight-year run in Dallas. Beasley became a reliable target in the slot for both Romo and Prescott, and all Witten did was continue his Hall of Fame career ... retire ... and then decide he wanted to play some more.
Offensive line: Tyron Smith, Doug Free, Zack Martin, Ron Leary, Travis Frederick
The ‘Great Wall of Dallas’ nickname didn’t come about by accident. The Cowboys spent first round draft picks on multiple offensive linemen this decade and they returned the favor with numerous All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections.
Defense
Defensive line: DeMarcus Lawrence, DeMarcus Ware, Tyrone Crawford, Jason Hatcher
A scheme shift from the 3-4 to the 4-3 midway through the decade slightly skews where two players landed on our all-decade defense (see also: Anthony Spencer), but there was still no doubt DeMarcus Ware would end up on this list. Along with him comes the current rising star at defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, and the pairing of Tyrone Crawford and Jason Hatcher on the interior.
Linebackers: Sean Lee, Anthony Hitchens, Anthony Spencer
While he stayed healthy, Lee was one of the best linebackers in the game -- he was a first-team All-Pro in 2016. Hitchens spent four seasons (2014-17) with this linebacker group before earning an expensive free agent contract with Kansas City. Spencer -- who like Ware could be called a LB or DE -- piled up 22.5 sacks this decade, and was named to the 2012 Pro Bowl.
Defensive backs: Terence Newman, Byron Jones, Barry Church, Brandon Carr
Representing the current roster, Jones has shown his ability to play both corner and safety. Church spent seven seasons roaming the secondary in Dallas. Carr didn’t miss a start over five seasons at corner. And while it was the tail-end of his long tenure in Dallas, Newman gave the Cowboys two more season as the team’s top CB from 2010-11.
Special teams
Kicker: Dan Bailey
Punter: Chris Jones
Holder: L.P. Ladouceur
Returner: Dwayne Harris
Head coach
Jason Garrett: Took over for Wade Phillips after the Cowboys’ 1-7 start to the 2010 season, and has been the Dallas head coach ever since. The Cowboys have made three playoff appearances under Garrett. He also won 2016 Coach of the Year.
David Moore, Calvin Watkins, and Damon Marx contributed to this post.
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