Shorting a stock doesn't include the time element of options not to mention the relative lack of liquidity in derivatives as opposed to the equity.

Saying that, for most amateurs I'd recommend selling puts than shorting since shorting has unlimited downside risk.

Sometimes shorting against the box makes sense if you have the asset in another account and can't sell it there. You could short it in your primary account and then move the shares over which make take a few days locking in a sell price. When the shares arrive in your primary account it covers the short position.