WASHINGTON, Mar 2: A year ago, the White House greeted the world champion Dallas Cowboys with AstroTurf, mock goal posts and banners, reports AP.

This year, an unadorned Roosevelt Room was the site for the president's traditional welcome of the .Super Bowl winner.

With back-to-back titles, neither the Cowboys nor the White House were putting on the splashy show of 1993.

A year ago, the entire team was greeted tn the East Room, which had been decorated for the occasion with a vast expanse of AstroTurf complete with hash marks. A fake goal post hung between the ornate portraits of George and Martha

A small, albeit stellar, squad returned Tuesday

Quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith, receiver Michael Irvin and defensive tackle Russell Maryland represented the team, Joined by owner Jerry Jones and coach Jimmy Johnson

This is the most expensive foursome there is in this country today." Jone* joked, referring to his high-priced players.

During a visit to the Oval Office prior to Tuesday's ceremony. Maryland said he had to set Clinton straight on who was responsible for the Cowboys' 30-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Jan 30.

'He was recapping the Super Bowl game, talking about how Troy and Emmitt moving down the field on the Bills made the difference tn the game." Maryland told reporters later. Tm the only guy here from Dallas on the de fence. I had to say something, you know... I said it was the defense.’

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Clinton didn't allow himself to be drawn into the offence vs defence argument. He praised the entire team during his brief remarks.

"I think that it is just the beginning of what will doubtless be years and years and years of stunning achievement if they can just keep their goals high and keep working for them.” the president said.

"Coach Johnson, your team has a knack for coming to the White House."

It's a knack the Cowboys will repeat if Jones has any say in the matter.

As he handed Clinton a copy of the Lombard! Trophy given to the Super Bowl winner. Jones said: "We'd like to put on this trophy 1993 Super Bowl

champions. 1994 Super Bowl champions, and we're going to leave a little space open."

Jones also presented the president a fist-sized replica of the Cowboys' diamond-studded Super Bowl ring. "If you can find someone that It fits, send him to the Dalia* Cowboys," Jones told hi* fellow Arkansan.

Clinton admitted to "a bit of parochial pride" that the team 1* owned by a native of Arkansas. The Arkansas ties don't end there. Texas native Johnson, like Jone*, played on the 1964 national champion Arkansas Razorback* team.

In an interview, Jones said he decided to bring only a few player* this year because he wanted an "intimate" ceremony thl* time around.