CHENEY — Being the only kicker in camp is a mixed blessing.

"It's nice to know there's job security. That's the one good thing about it," said Josh Brown, the third-year kicker who has been the Seahawks' lone field-goal specialist in camp since Kevin Miller was released last Wednesday.

Of course, with or without another leg in camp, Brown's job is secure. That's what a team-record 81.8 percent accuracy rate over his first two years has earned him. Brown said the extra practice will come in handy, particularly since he has a new holder, punter Leo Araguz.

But there is the matter of all of those kicks in practice and exhibition games wearing out the 26-year-old's leg.

"Sometimes I wish there was a little help," Brown said. "Otherwise it's four extra games for me in the season. I want to be ready when the regular season really comes around."

Brown's one area of inconsistency in his first two seasons has been kickoffs. But he seems to have improved in camp, often booming kicks into or through the end zone. In the scrimmage Saturday, he landed three of four kickoffs inside the 5-yard line.

"I feel great about them," he said. "I definitely haven't gone backward."

Brown already has set or tied six team records, including longest field goal (58 yards). Last season, he set a team mark by converting 92 percent (23 of 25) and tied the record of 16 consecutive field goals.

"He is a very talented young guy and has developed into a fine kicker," coach Mike Holmgren said. "He should be good for a long time."

Bates waived

The Seahawks waived linebacker Solomon Bates yesterday morning, bringing his two-year stint in Seattle to a close.

That leaves the Seahawks with 10 linebackers on the roster, but only six practiced yesterday. D.D. Lewis, Cornelius Wortham and Lofa Tatupu are still recovering from injuries, and Jamie Sharper was given the day off for rest.

The move to release Bates, who started three games last season, was a sign that the team believes it has enough depth and talent at linebacker. Bates, 23, was a Seahawks fourth-round draft pick out of Arizona State in 2003.

Bates also was a contributor on special teams, but apparently fell out of favor with coaches this offseason. He got most of his snaps with the third-team defense in minicamps and training camp.

The Seahawks have the option of signing a new player to fill the vacated roster spot.

Weeks gets his shot

The Seahawks have been getting by with only two healthy running backs in practice, Kerry Carter and Marquis Weeks, an undrafted rookie free agent from Virginia.

Shaun Alexander and Maurice Morris could be back from sore hamstrings any day, but Jesse Lumsden figures to be out for two weeks with a hip injury. That means significant snaps for Weeks, who couldn't have expected so much work in his first pro training camp.

Weeks is pulling triple duty. He's on the coverage and blocking units for special teams, and is one of four players working at kickoff returner. The others are Carter and wide receivers Jerome Pathon and Bobby Shaw.

"I did that in college a whole lot," Weeks said. "You get a lot more tired when you get the reps I've been getting. But it's worth it for the opportunity."

Weeks played running back for three years at Virginia, then moved to safety as a senior