The past couple of times I have started the FD, I get an angry grind right as the motor catches and starts. The sound is like turning the key with the motor running. Is there a clutch that should be disengaging that is not? If I am very careful to release the key as SOON as the motor fires, there is no problem, but it never did this before. So what broke?

maybe your engine is just starting very fast?

sounds like the starter. either the pinion gear

or solinoid is sticking.

Yeah more like that...does that mean new starter?

well you can try taking it out, dissasemble, clean/lubricate, and see if that helps. If not new starter time