My car just started making grinding noises when i am driving it. it stopped when brakes are applied.?

i drive a 97 ford contour stick shift. 4 cylinder. while i was driving, i hit a small bump in the road and all of a sudden my car started making grinding sounds from underneath. i thought maybe something was dragging or caught underneath. i didn't see anything. the car makes this grinding sound when in gear and neutral. when the brake is applied, it stops. i also noticed that when i start it up for the first time of the day and try to get it to drive, it is very difficult to get it to go while in 1st or 2nd gear. is something wrong with my clutch or brakes or what?